Granted by the Court and as an alternative to Prison, Formal Probation provides an offender with the benefit of supervision in the community by a Probation Officer. Offenders are given court ordered terms and conditions of Probation to follow for three to five years. If the offender violates those “terms and conditions”, the court will be notified and they could be sentenced to serve the remainder of their sentence in County or State Prison.
When an offender is convicted of misdemeanor charges, sentencing can range from probation, jail time, fines, community service or a combination of any of the above consequences. Summary probation, also known as court or informal probation, is supervised by the court, not the probation department. If an offender’s misdemeanor probation terms requires classes, community service, counseling, etc., they are held accountable by the court.
Upon your initial check in with the probation department, you will have an orientation and assessment, many classes will be offered to you for your success while on probation. You may also contact your assigned probation officer for information about classes.
If you are under regular supervision, contact your attorney, go to the court that issued the warrant, or turn yourself into a local law enforcement agency. If the matter involves Post Release Community Supervision, you should turn self into a probation office or a Los Angeles Police Department station. You can call the Probation Information Center at 866-931-2222 for further information.
Bail cannot be posted for a violation of probation (VOP).
If you are arrested, charged with any offense, or have any police contact, notify your probation officer immediately.
Immediately notify your probation officer about your plans to move. Once you have moved, immediately report to the probation office and request to fill out a change of address form.
You must not have or attempt to have any contact with the person or place. Any contact is not only a potential violation of probation; it is a potential violation of the law for which the person could be prosecuted. If that person tries to contact you, do not agree to make contact, tell your probation officer immediately.
- Current charges and any special allegations
- Prior criminal history
- Personal History
- Statement from the victim(s) and/or interested parties
- Evaluation and recommendation
This is specialized group of deputy probation officers whose function is to complete investigation reports.
Pre-Sentence
The pre-sentence report guides judges to determine the appropriate sentencing for a criminal case and to help assess if the defendant will benefit from probation and other forms of treatment, or serve time in county jail.
Post Sentence
At times, the court may order an investigation report (post sentence) after the defendant has been found guilty or has pled guilty. The court can sentence the defendant to serve time in county jail or a state facility. Some defendants are not incarcerated but placed on probation for a designated period.
Bench Warrant Pickup
A bench warrant pickup report is usually requested when a probationer has been arrested on a bench warrant issued by the court following a revocation of probation. The bench warrant pickup report provides the court with information about the probationer’s activities after the revocation, his/her explanation for failing to comply with probation, the defendant’s plans for the future and the probation officer’s assessment of the defendant’s suitability for continued supervision and the DPO’s recommendation for a disposition in the case.
Supplemental
Supplemental reports are prepared when ordered by the court or when additional information has been received after a report has been completed or submitted to court. Supplemental reports can include new information in the areas of restitution, victim statements, interested parties, or subsequent arrests.
If this is a life-threatening emergency, call 9-1-1 immediately. Otherwise, contact local law enforcement. Probation cannot confirm or deny if somebody is on probation but can take possible relevant information. For additional assistance, contact the Probation Information Center at 866-931-2222.
Your probation case will be closed and you no longer need to check in. You may not receive notification from the probation department regarding your case being expired and closed.
You can also check the status of your court case to confirm your expiration date by clicking on the button below.
Early termination depends on your eligibility. You must have complied with all terms and conditions of probation, completed at least half of your probation term. You can request an early termination through your assigned probation officer.
Yes, pursuant to Penal Code section 1203.4. If you are interested in this process consult with your attorney.
Yes. You are entitled to register to vote as long as you are not in prison or on parole for a felony conviction. (California Constitution Article II, Section 2, Section 4 – California Elections Code 2101)
Offenders on Formal Probation who have conditions of probation stating “Must submit to drug testing as directed by the probation officer” or any other order by the court which calls for measures related to the collection of biological specimen (urine, saliva, breath or blood) for the detection of drugs, may not use cannabis of any form. If your drug test is positive for marijuana (or any other illegal substance) you will have violated your conditions of probation and the court will be notified. Clients on Formal Probation who have medical marijuana cards must submit a request to use medical marijuana to the court and the court must approve the use of cannabis/marijuana.
What if I have additional questions: Please call the Probation Information Center at 866-931-2222 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Depending on the level of the crime, the person will either be held for court or released on a promise to appear.
Bail Deviation Program (Pre-Arraignment)
The Bail Deviation (BD) Program is a free service that is available to any adult booked for a felony or misdemeanor charge in any jail facility in Los Angeles County. The defendant, either personally or through his/her attorney, friend, or family member, may contact our office for an application for an own recognizance or bail reduction consideration. Please call collect: (213) 351-0311 or toll free (800) 773-5151 for further information.
Own Recognizance Program (Arraignment)
The Own Recognizance (OR) Program provides a valuable service to all Los Angeles County Superior Courts by assessing the pretrial jail population detained on eligible felony criminal charges at the arraignment, bail review and preliminary hearing stages. OR Investigative staff conduct defendant interviews, verify defendant information, complete criminal record checks and obtain arrest information from the arresting agency. A written report is generated that includes an overall evaluation and recommendation regarding the defendant’s suitability for pretrial OR release. Please call (213) 351-0373 for further details.
Bail Deviation Program (Pre-Arraignment)
Any person who has been booked for a felony or misdemeanor charge except those persons arrested for a serious or violent felony, or violation of a restraining order. These are prohibited from release per Penal Code 1270.1 and do not qualify for the BD Program.
Own Recognizance (Arraignment)
Any person who has been arrested for, or charged with, an offense other than a capital offense may be released on his or her own recognizance by a court or magistrate. This includes a defendant arrested upon an out-of-county warrant.
At the pre-arraignment stage, Pretrial will send confirmation to the arrestee’s current jail location. Pretrial will also call to confirm receipt and obtain the next court date information, if OR was granted.
At the arraignment stage, the Courts will advise the defendant.
Defendants who are granted release on their own recognizance are sent a computer-generated notice to the address on file at least 10 days before every court appearance. Five days prior the next court appearance attempts are made to contact the defendant by telephone. Additionally, an automated text reminder is generated upon each newly scheduled court appearance. This process will continue through the adjudication of the court case. – Unless the defendant’s OR release is revoked by the court, failure to appear (FTA), or vacated by Pretrial for re-arrest.
County jail sentenced inmates will serve the remaining percentage time after good time/work credit, as calculated by the Sheriff’s Department. For court-ordered participants, it is the amount of days set by the court.
No, it’s an offender-paid program at this time.
Daily fees are set based on participant’s ability to pay using a sliding scale.
County jail participants are able to return to custody to complete their county jail sentence, while court-ordered participants must return to court.
Yes, with the approval from the Sheriff’s or the Court
Proposition 63 enacted a court process that attempts to ensure prohibited individuals do not continue to have firearms. The measure required courts to inform individuals prohibited from owning a firearm that they must turn their firearms over to local law enforcement, sell their firearms to a licensed dealer, or give their firearms to a dealer for storage. Proposition 63 also required probation officers to check and report on what prohibited individuals did with their firearms.
- An initial Investigative Report to determine whether the defendant has registered firearms; Ammunition, Magazines and Feeding Devices.
- A Supplemental Report captures the following: A follow-up report that captures outcomes; clarifies previously reported information for accuracy; Provides any updated information to the court relative to the matter.
Effective October 2011, the California Public Safety Realignment plan mandates that non violent, non serious, or non sexual offenders are supervised by the probation department. This is also known as Post Release Community Supervision.
An arrest warrant ordered by the court against an offender in a criminal case. Bench warrants may be issued for violations of probation (VOP) or failing to appear at a court appearance (FTA).
A straight sentence is a state prison sentence served in county jail with no supervision requirement upon release.
An immediate sanction of up to 10 days in county jail for a violation of PRCS terms.
Under Section 1170(h) of the Penal Code is the supervision of an offender in the community for a court ordered period of time, after the offender has served a length of time in custody in County Prison. Mandatory supervision is supervised by the probation department.
A report submitted to the Court indicating which terms and conditions are alleged to be violated and the reason why they are alleged violated. The petition is reviewed by the court at the arraignment hearing.
See Assembly Bill 109 (AB109)
Also known as a PSI, a report to the court for sentencing, which provides specific information, including victim impact statements and victim restitution information, biographical information about the defendant, and a recommended sentence.
The supervision of criminal offenders by which they are ordered by the court to follow terms and conditions of probation. The Los Angeles County Probation Department supervises felony cases and some misdemeanors.
Money paid to compensate the loss of stolen or damaged property, medical and psychological treatment costs, and funeral costs to victims and other costs or damages as ordered by the court.
Summary probation, also known as court or informal probation, is supervised by the court, not the probation department. If an offender’s probation terms requires classes, community service, counseling, etc., they are held accountable by the court.
A jail or prison sentence that is suspended, or put on hold, while the offender is given an opportunity to comply with the terms and conditions of probation that are ordered by the court. If an offender violates their terms and conditions of probation, the court has the authority to order the offender to serve the suspended time.
“A person who suffers direct or threatened physical, psychological, or financial harm as a result of the commission or attempted commission of a crime or delinquent act.” The term victim also includes the person’s spouse, parents, children, siblings, or guardian, or a lawful representative of a crime victim who is deceased, a minor, or physically or psychologically incapacitated. (Cal Const., art.1 & 28).
The violation of one or more terms and conditions of probation set forth ordered by the court.
Supplemental Report” language with “A report requested by the court to provide additional, supplemental information to a previously provided court report or hearing. The additional information may provide updated or clarifying information the court needs to make the appropriate disposition on the probationer’s case.
Also known as weekend work release or weekend commitment. Under the direction of the court, an inmate may be released before the maximum sentence in jail has been served in order to remain in the community and work for a minimum of two days per week in lieu of custody time.
Immediately upon release from custody or being sentenced to felony probation, report to the nearest probation office. At that time, you will receive an orientation and assessment and the probation officer will provide you with contact information.
Your court date can be found on the most recent minute orders provided by the Court. You may also click on the button below and enter your case number to find out your next court date.
The Los Angeles County Probation Department does not disclose adult inmate information. The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department inmate locater can provide information regarding Los Angeles County inmates:
Information regarding adult probationers is provided to individuals or agencies with a right or need to know.
Clients are able to pay online, over the phone, through the mail or in person.
Online: ONLINE PAYMENT
By phone: Call 866-755-0255
By mail:
Los Angeles County Probation Department
P.O. Box 60997
Los Angeles, CA 90060-0997
Please write your Department of Treasurer Tax Collector (DTTC) account number on all payments submitted.
In person:
Los Angeles County Treasurer-Tax Collector
225 North Hill Street, Room 109
Los Angeles, CA 90007
To pay by phone or online, you will need your DTTC account number and 8 digit probation X-number.
To obtain your DTTC account number or probation X-number, please call 1-866-931-2222
Contact your assigned probation officer to find out your probation expiration date. Your expiration date is included on your minute order from your last court date.
You can access your court records to check for an active warrant on the Los Angeles County Superior Court website by clicking on the button below, or you may contact your assigned probation officer.
If you have an active warrant, contact your attorney, go to the court that issued the warrant, or turn yourself into a local law enforcement agency. If the matter involves Post Release Community Supervision, you should turn self into a probation office or a Los Angeles Police Department station. You can call the Probation Information Center at 866-931-2222 for further information.
You must complete all custody time before having your case transferred to another county. Before the transfer-out process can begin, your probation officer will request the following items from you:
- Proof of residence (utility bill or rental agreement).
- Name of individuals who will be living with you and whether they are on probation or parole
- California ID or Driver’s License with current address
Once these items are received, you will be notified by a probation officer that your case is in the process of being transferred to another county. You may be required to appear in court for a 1203.9 transfer hearing; however, you will be notified prior to the court date. You must continue to follow your terms and conditions of probation and check in with your probation officer in Los Angeles County as directed until you are notified that your case has been successfully transferred.
All custody time must be fulfilled, and specific documents must be provided to the Los Angeles County Probation Department to begin the transfer process. A probationer must remain in California until a travel permit is approved through Interstate Compact. Upon receiving a travel permit and moving out of state, the probationer may not leave their new state of residence, unless they receive permission from Interstate Compact.
A person who has successfully completed probation supervision may request a reduction of a felony to a misdemeanor, pursuant to Penal Code Section 17(b) and dismissal of the charge, pursuant to Penal Code Section 1203.4. To receive a reduction and/or dismissal, you must request to appear before the court, in person or through your attorney.
AB 109 is an historic law passed in April of 2011 with the intent of reducing the state prison population. It is also referred to as “Realignment”. The California Legislature and the Governor passed this sweeping public safety legislation that shifted the responsibility of certain state offenders from State Parole to the local counties. The law allows for current non-violent, non-serious, and non-sex offenders who, after they have served their sentence in a California State prison, are to be supervised at the local County level. The idea is that the Counties have more experience providing rehabilitative services.
AB 109 also provides for the same inmate population above to serve their sentences in county jailsinstead of state prison.
Note: No inmates currently in state prison will be transferred to county jails or released early.
1. There is no such thing a “early release” under AB109. In fact, there is no provision for early release in the language of the law passed by the California State Legislature in 20011. None of the felons released under the AB109 program are “early release”. The only difference is that these state prisoners are being supervising at the County level by Probation instead of at the State level by Parole. This error regarding early release has been wide spread-we try and correct that misperception every time.
2. AB 109 probationers can only be returned to state prison for a new qualifying conviction.
3. State felons by counties are known a non-serious, non-violent and non-sex offenders, i.e., N-3’s. However, the non-serious/non-violent designation only applies to the current commitment offense. In other words, “non-non-non’s” can and do have prior serious/violent convictions in their background, but the current offense for which they were committed to State prison cannot be defined as serious or violent under the law. Also, sex offenders who are NOT designated as high risk sex offenders are released from the State to the county so long as their current offense is NOT serious or violent, they are not a Lifer, they are not a Mentally Disordered Offender and they are not defined as a Sexually Violent Predator.