Adult Probation

Probation Process

Defendants charged with a criminal offense by the State Attorney's Office will appear before a Seminole County, County Court Judge for appropriate disposition. There are various judicial actions that can occur on the day one appears before the Court. Those being placed in a probationary status, as an alternative to incarceration, are directed by the Court to accomplish standard and special conditions. These conditions through proactive case management serve to fulfill the four basic goals in sentencing, deterrence, retribution, rehabilitation and restitution. Being placed on Probation is a privilege and not a right.

Services

• Supervision for all probationers assigned by the Seminole County Courts and the Eighteenth Circuit Court
• A Community Service Work Program
• Supervision of the State Attorney's Pretrial Diversion Program
• Collection of fees for the Clerk of Courts
• Fines and Cost, Restitution for Victims, Jail Fees for Incarceration
• Counseling for both defendants and victims
• Documents all contacts with clients and collects documentation to prove completion of special conditions
• Visits not-for-profit organizations to ascertain what type of community service work will be done as well as the performance of the assigned clients
• Prepare the roll call for the work program and explain its function and the rules to the probationers
  Prepare required reports, investigations and recaps
• Testimony as required in Court and recommendations for dispositions are made
• Conducts field visits (home and work) on all assigned probationers, pre-trial clients and community service work defendants

Community Service
Community Service hours are ordered either as a special condition of probation or pretrial diversion and without supervision. Traffic Court community service hours are imposed to give something back to the community after an illegal action has occurred or in lieu of a court ordered fine. Community service must be performed for a tax-supported or tax-exempt entity. Seminole County utilizes over 98 approved sites to refer over 117,000 hours a year of court ordered community service work.

Pre-Trial Diversion
When an individual (adult or juvenile) has been charged with a crime, the State Attorney screens the case to determine eligibility for the Pre-Trial Diversion Program. Eligibility is based on prior criminal history and the severity of the crime. If the individual is found appropriate and accepts the program, the case is abated until further notice from the State Attorney. Upon successful completion of the pretrial term, the case is dropped by the State Attorney's Office.