Court Supervision- What does it really mean?

 Posted on April 17, 2012 in Uncategorized

My clients are often confused by the term court supervision.    Many clients ask me if a crime or traffic ticket will end up on their record.  This is a common question because people get confused regarding the term "conviction" and other forms of a disposition in a criminal and traffic setting.

"Court Supervision"  simply means that the court withholds judgment against you ( does NOT enter a conviction) as along as you comply with the terms of your sentence.   At the conclusion of the court supervision period (ranging anywhere from 60 days to 30 months), if have satisfactorily complied with the court's conditions, the case is closed with no conviction.

When you receive Court Supervision, a record will be created in the County where you were arrested as well as the State of Illinois Criminal and Traffic Databases.     When someone asks me if a charge or ticket will go on their record, I tell them yes, but maybe NOT as a conviction.  In other words, Court Supervision is reported on records, but it less serious and damaging to your record than a conviction.

As far as traffic tickets go, court supervision (avoiding a Conviction) does not go as a mark against your license which could result in a suspension wherein your driver's license is taken away.   On the other hand, too many convictions on your record can result in the loss of a license.

Basically, court supervision requires an individual to plead guilty to an offense (Criminal or traffic), but they are not Convicted.  A record is created, but it is not as bad as a conviction.