Can a police officer put an 17-year-old on probation? This particular teen was caught doing a donut in his truck in the school parking lot. He was not arrested or cited (there was no vehicle damage or bodily injury). The officer said he could suspend his driver license, but won’t. The officer did tell the boy, however, that he was going to “put him on probation for a year”. I thought probation was a possible result/sentence after a case has gone through due process in the courts? (California)