Iowa judges will have a new option for convicts who violate their probation: rather than sending them to prison, the judges will be allowed to give them another year of supervised probation, reports the Des Moines Register. Iowa Gov. Chet Culver signed the proposal into law yesterday.
Even if the convicted person doesn't break the rules, the new probation law will allow an extra year of probation, including one year beyond the maximum period. A judge could extend the probation if the person needs more supervised time to ensure he or she fully pays all restitution and fines, or to ensure they continue going to programs such as Alcoholics Anonymous.