Legal Question in Criminal Law in California

It means you don't have to report to a probation officer, but you have to obey all laws and comply with any other conditions the judge imposed.

If you violate probation, the judge could send you to jail or prison for up to the maximum term allowed for your offense.

I agree with Mr. Marshall. You have to obey the conditions the judge imposed, or your probation can later be revoked and you get a sentence. The only thing that makes it informal is that you do not have to report to the county probation officer.