Although probation and parole are often used interchangeably by people unfamiliar with our legal system, they mean two very different things.

Probation is part of the sentence for committing a crime. It is essentially a jail sentence that one is permitted to serve outside of jail, usually in increments of months. A judge determines the length and the terms (rules) of probation. A person on probation reports monthly to a probation officer. If the terms of probation are broken, the offender may be sent to jail by the judge. Someone convicted of a misdemeanor or felony may serve part or all of a sentence on probation.

Parole is the early release of an inmate who has served part of a prison sentence. The inmate is allowed to return to the community under the conditions of parole and the supervision of a parole officer, much like someone on probation. Parole is usually measured in years, and applies to felony sentences. If the terms of parole are broken the parole may be sent back to prison.

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I am often asked about what kind of drivers' insurance is needed in Georgia. Here's the scoop.

All Georgians must have automobile liability insurance for at least the minimum limits required by law:

• Bodily Injury Liability of $25,000 per person
• $50,000 per occurrence and
• Property Damage liability of $25,000 per occurrence.

Your Liability Insurance is insurance that pays damages to others, for injury to or damaged property of others, up to the policy limit, which you may have caused by your negligence or may protect you against claims made against you by someone who alleges you are at-fault.

Your Physical Damage Insurance is insurance to pay for loss or damage to your own vehicle. Physical Damage Insurance consists of two types. The first part which pays for theft, vandalism and fire type losses (referred to as "comprehensive" or "other than collision coverage"). The second part is "collision" coverage. Physical Damage Insurance is not required by State law, but is usually required by a lender if there is a loan on the vehicle, or by the leasing company if it is leased. You can file a claim under your own Physical Damage Insurance coverage even if someone else may have caused the accident.

Uninsured Motorist Insurance may also be included on your policy. Although Georgia requires all drivers to have "liability insurance" to drive, there are unfortunately those who either do not obey the law or may have unknowingly allowed their insurance to cancel. Uninsured Motorist protects you when an "uninsured" driver causes an accident, damaging your vehicle or injuring you or your passengers. This coverage protects you for loss or damages in an accident.

If you are injured by someone who carries minimal or no insurance, your own insurance company protects you with the Uninsured Motorist portion of your policy. You should plan on having between $250,000 and one million dollars in uninsured / underinsured coverage. This is NOT umbrella coverage, as most umbrella policies do not provided uninsured motorist coverage.

This is very confusing, and some of you may think that higher coverage is too expensive. Check your driving history and with your insurance company and if it's not affordable now, check again in six months or a year. You do not want to be an unfortunate car accident injury victim where the at-fault driver has insufficient insurance coverage.

Anyone convicted of DUI or any crime can be required to perform community service as part of a sentence. Before you volunteer with the first worthwhile cause you find, make sure you know the rules the court insists you follow.

1. Make sure you work on behalf of a nonprofit, public service organization, such as Habitat For Humanity or The American Red Cross.
2. Verify the hours you spend volunteering. Bring an excel or other spreadsheet to document time in, time out, supervisor's signature and date.
3. At the end of all of your service hours, ask for a signed letter on the organization's letterhead from someone in charge stating how many hours you worked. Make sure it contains a phone number the court can call to verify your hours.

Must Read for Teens & Parents of Teens

In this blog series I discuss the legal, financial, and career implications of getting a DUI as a minor.

What if I don't have plans for college? I have nothing to worry about, right?

Not quite. Most employers do background checks, and a DUI conviction will certainly show up there. Take heart; while the DUI never completely falls off your record , it does become less important over time. Most employers, for instance, only check three years of your driving record. Having said that, many employers will ask point blank if you have ever been convicted of a DUI. And you will have to answer "yes" if you have a DUI conviction.

Does a DUI affect enrolling in the military?

Federal law requires you to disclose any incidents that resulted in arrest or in charges being filed when you enlist. It does not matter how old you were when the incident happened, and it does not matter if your record has been sealed or expunged as far as the military is concerned. Sealed and expunged information only holds for civilians. One DUI arrest or conviction will not affect your ability to enlist. Two or more convictions for DWI/DUI requires a waiver in order to enlist. If one or both of the DUIs are recent, you must wait one year from the date of conviction before you can receive a waiver.