Good behaviour order: supervised

A supervised good behaviour order is a non-custodial sentence.

What a person must do

A person on a good behaviour order must:

• follow all reasonable directions of the probation and parole officer
• report to and receive visits from the probation and parole officer as directed
• attend programs or counselling as directed by the probation and parole officer
• tell their probation and parole officer if they change address within 2 working days
• follow all other conditions set by the court.

What a person must not do

A person on a good behaviour order must not:

• break the law while on the order
• leave the Northern Territory (NT) without permission from their probation and parole officer
• breach the conditions of the order.

After the court places someone on an order

After sentencing the court will give the offender a copy of their court order that will outline the conditions the offender must comply with.

The offender must report to the Community Corrections office named on the order within 2 working days.

When the offender reports to the office they will be assigned a probation and parole officer.

The probation and parole officer will:

• go through the order with the offender to make sure they understand it
• explain the conditions the offender must comply with
• if the offender has a condition to attend programs or counselling the probation and parole officer will provide the details of when and where they will attend
• help the offender develop a plan to follow the conditions of their order and stay out of trouble in the future.

If a person can't attend

If an offender can't attend a program or an appointment it's their responsibility to notify the probation and parole officer immediately. The offender will be required to provide evidence such as a doctor's certificate or letter from their employer.

What happens if the person doesn't follow the order

If an offender doesn't follow the conditions of the order, the probation and parole officer will investigate what has happened and the offender may have to return to court to explain their actions.

If the probation and parole officer tells you that you have to go back to court, you should contact your lawyer. They will explain your options and what the court might decide.

Why programs are included

Programs can help offenders make changes in their life and reduce the risk of re-offending. Programs have been developed to provide help with gambling, drugs, alcohol, money problems or mental illness.

If someone can't meet the obligations of the order

An offender can apply to the court at any time during the order period for the order to be resolved and another penalty substituted. Contact your lawyer to discuss your options and make an application to the court.