If you were convicted of a serious crime and given the choice of prison or probation, which would you choose?
While it might be an easy choice for most of us, believe it or not, many persons today are choosing prison over probation.
Why? Because they anticipate early-release! A limited number of P rison cells and an ever-increasing prison population has forced North Carolina and other states to release prisoners well before the end of their imposed sentences. Some convicted felons reason that it's better to serve a little time in confinement than a lot of time on probation.
To provide additional incentive for persons convicted of felonies to accept and comply with the terms 01 their probation, The North Carolina General Assembly has enacted a law whereby convicted felons automatically forfeit their drivers licenses, hunting and fishing licenses, and occupational licenses if they refuse probation or violate the terms of their probation. The law became effective May 1.
Consequently, if a licensed real estate broker or salesman is convicted of a felony and refuses probation or has his/her probation revoked or suspended, the licensee's real estate license will be automatically forfeited for the full term of the maximum sentence imposed by the court.