In most cases, all or part of a sentence imposed by the Court can be suspended and you can be placed on probation instead of having to serve the whole sentence in prison or in jail.
HOWEVER, if you have prior convictions, you may have to serve at least the minimum sentence in some form of incarceration. This could include prison, jail, work release or home detention.
There are also certain types of offenses where you may have to serve the minimum sentence even if you have never been convicted of a crime before. These are typically the most serious felony offenses.
You should talk with your lawyer early on about whether all or any part of your sentence can be suspended if you are convicted, so you will be able to better understand your risks in proceeding to trial.
You should also carefully review the terms and conditions of probation that are normally imposed in the county where your case is pending, so that you can decide if probation is the right choice for you.