Probation before judgment is a legal term of "deferred adjudication," which is meant to be used for first-time offenders. Typically, a first-time offender will receive probation instead of a judgment, which may or may not include a jail sentence. The period of probation is decided by the presiding judge. Appealing a probation before judgment is done by asking the court to expunge your record of the proceeding.
Instructions
1. Contact the court clerk in the jurisdiction where the offense occurred, and ask for a copy of your criminal record. The clerk will instruct you on obtain a copy.
2. Pay the required fee for the copy, which may range from $25 to $50.
3. Determine whether you may qualify for an expungement. You will need to have completed your probationary period to qualify for expungement.
4. Obtain a petition form for the court. Go to the website for the court in your state to obtain the applicable form.
5. Follow the instructions to complete the form. Send the form, and any applicable filing fees, to the court to petition for expungement of your record.
