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Adult Probation

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1. What if I live in another state, can my supervision be transferred?

In most cases your supervision can be transferred to another state for supervision. You cannot leave the State of Texas unless your transfer has been approved by the Court and the receiving state through Interstate Compact. For the rules for out-of-state transfers check the ICAOS website.

2. What if I work or attend school from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. When would I be scheduled to report?

Scheduling is determined between the individual and the supervising officer. Efforts will be made, when ever possible, so reporting appointments will have a minimal conflict with legitimate circumstances.

3. How long does it take to be processed once you are placed on community supervision?

In misdemeanor cases, an individual should plan to spend 2 hours at the Community Supervision and Corrections Department (CSCD) to complete the intake process on the day you are placed on community supervision. The appointment time for this processing is at 1:30 p.m. at the CSCD. You will be given forms at Court to have completed for this processing.

In felony cases, processing will be scheduled with the first appointment with your probation officer approximately 1-2 weeks after you are placed on community supervision. You should plan to spend 2 hours at this appointment.

4. What do I do if I have an emergency during my curfew hours?

If you have an actual emergency and must leave your approved residence during curfew hours, leave a message on your probation officer’s office phone voice-mail when you leave and when your return. The next work day, contact your officer to discuss the details concerning your departure. Be prepared to provide any documentation that might be required by your probation officer for the absence from your residence.

5. How do I get a travel permit to travel outside McLennan County?

You must first contact your probation officer. All out of county travel (in-state and out-of state) requires a written permit. The request must be made at least 48 hours in advance of the scheduled departure for non-essential travel (travel involving vacation, weddings, non-immediate family emergencies). In addition you must be currently in compliance with the condition of probation to include: being current on all court ordered payments, no positive UA’s within last year, and must be in compliance with your supervision plan to include attendance of all programs required by the court.

The requirements for essential travel (travel for employment, medical/legal matters, education, immediate family emergencies) are: offender must be in substantial compliance with conditions of probation. Substantial compliance means that an offender is sufficiently in compliance with the terms and conditions of his/her supervision so as not to result in initiation of revocation of supervision proceedings. This request can be made any time.

6. Can I bring my children to office visits?

Minor children (persons under the age of 17) cannot be brought to your office appointments. You will need to make arrangements for the proper care of minor children before your scheduled appointment. Minors may not be left unattended in the building, the parking lot or in parked vehicles. Some offenders reporting to this department are being supervised for violent and sexual offenses. Additionally, children are distracting to both you and your officer, making discussion of important issues very difficult.

7. Does my employer need to know that I'm on probation?

In some cases, your officer is required to notify your employer via "duty to warn." Since this is a case by case issue, you should discuss this with your supervision officer. You will be required to provide your officer proof of employment through pay stubs.

8. What happens if I miss my appointment/office visit?

Please understand that missing your office visit is a violation of your conditions of probation. If you have missed an appointment, it is your responsibility to contact your officer immediately. Depending on the circumstances and officer availability, your office visit may be rescheduled.

9. Can I pay off all my court ordered financial obligations up front?

Yes, payment in full may be made immediately upon being places on probation after your case is entered into the department’s case management system. Should you be granted an early release you will receive a refund of the unserved portion of your probation fees.

10. What should I bring at the time of my first office visit?

You should have in hand your drivers license, high school diploma or equivalent, auto insurance, and pay check stub (most current payment).

11. What is not allowed in the office?

Any form of weapon or item that can be used as a weapon, to include work related knives and tools.

12. Will I have to do urinalysis at my first office visit?

You must be prepared to provide a urine sample every time you come to the office. Requests for testing may be made randomly at anytime.

13. What happens during a home visit?

There are several reasons for a probation officer to visit your home, as allowed by the conditions of probation. One is to verify that you live where you say you do. Another is to visit with you and/or family members to discuss your progress and to see if there are any additional issues. We are also interested in whether you are violating any conditions of your probation. Many probationers have conditions that allow the probation officer to search their home and computers for contraband, illegal or inappropriate computer usage, or other inappropriate materials.

14. What information is available to the public, family members, victims, etc. regarding my probation status?

Probation records are “Judicial Records” and thus can only be released with the authorization of the Court. The probation department will only release information that is already public record and is available from either the district or county clerk’s public records, such as the conditions of supervision, the offense for which you are on probation, the length of probation, etc. This means that we will not discuss details of your case if someone, even a family member, calls up to inquire about the details of your supervision. The only way that we will discuss these details are with the permission of the Court. Some agencies, primarily law enforcement, will have some access to your information if it pertains to public safety.

15. What is appropriate dress for office visits?

Visits to the Adult Probation Office should be treated no differently than a visit to a professional office. While we understand that many times visits are made before, during, or after your work hours and that you are unable to change clothes from work, you are expected to be clean and not track dirt or other materials into the office. You should be dressed appropriately for the situation. This means no overly revealing attire, costumes, inappropriate t-shirts with profane messages, messages promoting alcohol or drug use, or attire that signifies or promotes any gang affiliation.

16. What happens if I am late or miss an appointment?

Missing an appointment with your probation officer is a violation of the conditions of your probation. A variety of sanctions may be imposed by the courts for missing your appointment, up to and including revocation of your probation. It is of vital importance that you contact your probation officer as soon as possible if you are absolutely unable to make the appointment. You should make every effort to make your appointment as your officer has other people they are responsible for seeing. Missing an appointment is a waste of their time and yours. It is better to reschedule your appointment if allowed by the officer than it is to ignore the appointment and face the consequences of failing to report and not letting the officer know. The Probation Officer understands that there may be times that it is not possible to make an appointment due to health or other reasons. Please contact your officer as soon as possible in such circumstances so that your time may be used by others. If you are unable to make your payments, do not fail to report to for your appointment. Failing to report only compounds your problem.

17. How do I determine if my driver’s license is under suspension?

You should call the Department of Public Safety in Austin at 512-424-2000. You should have you driver’s license number available when you call.

18. What if I can not make my appointment?

Contact your probation officer.