The judge has the sole discretion in modifying the terms of probation. A modification request can be initiated by the judge, the defendant, or by the prosecutor. Depending on the circumstances of each case, a modification may or may not be helpful to the probationer. In order to be considered for early termination of probation, the judge will want to ensure that you have successfully completed the terms of your probation and there are circumstances that justify early termination. Judges usually like to see at least 12 to 18 months completed before deciding to terminate the probation. Valid reasons for early termination include: your probation is keeping you from securing gainful employment, it is preventing you from advancing at work, or it is restricting necessary travel.

Legal Definitions

(a) The court shall have authority at any time during the term of probation to revoke, modify, or change its order of suspension of imposition or execution of sentence. The court may at any time when the ends of justice will be subserved thereby, and when the good conduct and reform of the person so held on probation shall warrant it, terminate the period of probation, and discharge the person so held. The court shall also have the authority at any time during the term of mandatory supervision pursuant to subparagraph (B) of paragraph (5) of subdivision (h) of Section 1170 to revoke, modify, or change the conditions of the court’s order suspending the execution of the concluding portion of the supervised person’s term.

(b) The exercise of the court’s authority in subdivision (a) to revoke, modify, or change probation or mandatory supervision, or to terminate probation, is subject to the following:

(1) Before any sentence or term or condition of probation or condition of mandatory supervision is modified, a hearing shall be held in open court before the judge. The prosecuting attorney shall be given a two-day written notice and an opportunity to be heard on the matter, except that, as to modifying or terminating a protective order in a case involving domestic violence, as defined in Section 6211 of the Family Code, the prosecuting attorney shall be given a five-day written notice and an opportunity to be heard.

(A) If the sentence or term or condition of probation or the term or any condition of mandatory supervision is modified pursuant to this section, the judge shall state the reasons for that modification on the record.

(B) As used in this section, modification of sentence shall include reducing a felony to a misdemeanor.

(2) No order shall be made without written notice first given by the court or the clerk thereof to the proper probation officer of the intention to revoke, modify, or change its order.

(3) In all probation cases, if the court has not seen fit to revoke the order of probation and impose sentence or pronounce judgment, the defendant shall at the end of the term of probation or any extension thereof, be by the court discharged subject to the provisions of these sections.

(4) The court may modify the time and manner of the term of probation for purposes of measuring the timely payment of restitution obligations or the good conduct and reform of the defendant while on probation. The court shall not modify the dollar amount of the restitution obligations due to the good conduct and reform of the defendant, absent compelling and extraordinary reasons, nor shall the court limit the ability of payees to enforce the obligations in the manner of judgments in civil actions.

(5) Nothing in this section shall be construed to prohibit the court from modifying the dollar amount of a restitution order pursuant to subdivision (f) of Section 1202.4 at any time during the term of the probation.

(6) The court may limit or terminate a protective order that is a condition of probation or mandatory supervision in a case involving domestic violence, as defined in Section 6211 of the Family Code. In determining whether to limit or terminate the protective order, the court shall consider if there has been any material change in circumstances since the crime for which the order was issued, and any issue that relates to whether there exists good cause for the change, including, but not limited to, consideration of all of the following:

(A) Whether the probationer or supervised person has accepted responsibility for the abusive behavior perpetrated against the victim.

(B) Whether the probationer or supervised person is currently attending and actively participating in counseling sessions.

(C) Whether the probationer or supervised person has completed parenting counseling, or attended alcoholics or narcotics counseling.

(D) Whether the probationer or supervised person has moved from the state, or is incarcerated.

(E) Whether the probationer or supervised person is still cohabiting, or intends to cohabit, with any subject of the order.

(F) Whether the defendant has performed well on probation or mandatory supervision, including consideration of any progress reports.

(G) Whether the victim desires the change, and if so, the victim’s reasons, whether the victim has consulted a victim advocate, and whether the victim has prepared a safety plan and has access to local resources.

(H) Whether the change will impact any children involved, including consideration of any child protective services information.

(I) Whether the ends of justice would be served by limiting or terminating the order.

(c) If a probationer is ordered to serve time in jail, and the probationer escapes while serving that time, the probation is revoked as a matter of law on the day of the escape.

(d) If probation is revoked pursuant to subdivision (c), upon taking the probationer into custody, the probationer shall be accorded a hearing or hearings consistent with the holding in the case of People v. Vickers (1972) 8 Cal.3d 451. The purpose of that hearing or hearings is not to revoke probation, as the revocation has occurred as a matter of law in accordance with subdivision (c), but rather to afford the defendant an opportunity to require the prosecution to establish that the alleged violation did in fact occur and to justify the revocation.

(e) This section does not apply to cases covered by Section 1203.2.

– See more at: http://codes.lp.findlaw.com/cacode/PEN/3/2/8/1/s1203.3#sthash.s0KCJQ3H.dpuf