Adult Services

Probation Department provides adult pre-sentence investigation services to the Court in felony and certain misdemeanor cases following a conviction. The Court may refer the matter to Probation for preparation of a report, which in turn is used by the Court to determine an appropriate sentence. The Probation Report typically includes biographical data, criminal record information, and some legal stipulations, such as plea negotiations, sentencing factors, and a summary of the present offense. The presentence (probation) report also includes other collateral information, such as victim impact statements, restitution determination, and character reference letters submitted on behalf of the defendant. Prior to writing the report, the Deputy Probation Officer meets with the defendant, who together complete a written questionnaire. The completed questionnaire serves as the basis for the information contained in the pre-sentence report. Following meeting with the defendant, the Deputy Probation Officer compiles the information provided, coupled with anything learned during the interview, and provides the court with a cohesive document in the form of a probation report. In cases where supervised probation is recommended, the Deputy Probation Officer will also recommend that the Court impose certain conditions of probation, with the expectation that the subsequent (supervising) Deputy Probation Officer will enforce the defendant's compliance.

The Minimum supervision unit is composed of various caseloads. The majority of the unit supervises moderate risk clients or low risk clients that have been ordered to complete a program by the Court. Half are general probation cases that are Moderate risk and/or usually ordered to complete Parenting Program, Anger Management Program, or an Elder Abuse Program. The other half are Moderate Risk Domestic Violence Offenders, who are ordered to complete a 52-week Domestic Violence Program. In addition to the moderate risk cases we are also the transition for high risk cases as they are downgraded from the Supervision level. Minimum Supervision holds those cases for a minimum of 6 months to ensure their compliance after their field supervision has been downgraded. All cases are monitored through a telephone reporting system called Offender Link, this system allows use to stay updated on clients’ information and ensure they report on a monthly basis.

The unit also handles Bench Warrants, Bank Caseloads, and Restitution. We ensure that all cases that have restitution ordered and set pay on a monthly basis. If not, they are referred back to Court for review. This is to ensure that the victims receive compensation for any financial loses they may have experienced as a result of our client’s crimes. We also monitor all bench warrants as clients receive a warrant or are booked on their warrant. We re-assign these cases as needed so that clients are assessed and assigned to proper level of supervision as needed. Finally we deal with all the low risk offenders or those offenders that have completed all needed levels of supervision. We continue to answer any questions these clients have in regards to their case and keep their personal information updated as reported.

The Pretrial Assessment Unit is located at the San Joaquin County Jail. The unit is staffed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week including holidays. Pretrial staff conduct an Evidence Based Assessment using the Virginia Pretrial Risk Assessment Tool (VPRAI) and interview most defendants booked on new felony charges.  A Pretrial Report, including the defendant’s criminal history is provided to the Judge to determine a defendant’s release suitability. On misdemeanor cases, Pretrial Staff issue citations for those that are eligible for release. The goal of the Pretrial Assessment Unit is to screen out the low risk offenders from high risk offenders to assist with the jail’s population management and to decrease the risk to public safety.

The Substance Abuse and Crime Prevention Act (SACPA), also known as Proposition 36, was passed by California voters in November 7, 2000. The law went into effect on July 1, 2001. SACPA changed state law to allow non-violent drug offenses be offered substance abuse treatment instead of serving jail time.

San Joaquin County Prop 36 unit works in collaboration with Service First, Pacific Valley Recovery Center, Pacific Center for Addiction Services, Valley Community Counseling Centers, and Chemical Dependency Counseling Center (CDCC) to assure the defendants treatment needs are met. 

The Pretrial Monitoring Unit was established in October of 2014 to implement Evidence Based Practices in our Pretrial Services Unit.  The Pretrial Monitoring Unit supervises offenders found to be appropriate for release, pre-arraignment based on the results of the Virginia Pretrial Risk Assessment Tool (VPRAI) or upon referral by the Court. The client’s released from the jail pre-arraignment have a score of 2 or less on the VPRAI and are considered less at risk to commit a new offense and also are likely to appear at the first court hearing.  Clients who score a 3 are requested to be released on Global Positioning Supervision (GPS), via a court report. Clients are required to report by phone, in person, or with GPS weekly to the assigned staff person. Offenders are provided support by Probation Officers or Pretrial Program staff and are guided through the Court process until sentencing. Participating clients may be required to attend drug or alcohol programming or submit to drug testing while awaiting sentencing. Clients are reminded regularly of upcoming court dates and community resources are provided through the term of monitoring to increase success and reduce the risk of re offending while out of custody.

The Department works closely with the Data Co-Op to track offenders’ success in the program and reports to the Community Corrections Partnership. Additional Stakeholders in the project include the Courts, Sheriff’s Department, District Attorney’s Office, Public Defender, Behavioral Health, and Community Based partners. The processes were developed and ongoing support is provided by the Pretrial Sub-Committee which is headed by the Chief Probation Officer, Stephanie L. James. 

The purpose of the Domestic Violence Field Supervision unit is to supervise the most serious domestic violence offenders who pose a threat to victims and the community. All supervision cases are initially assessed and referred for services by the Assessment Unit. The level of supervision and reporting standards that establish field contact frequency are determined through comprehensive risk and need assessments.

Probation officers monitor client compliance with Court orders, compliance with the mandates of Penal Code 1203.097 including attendance of a 52-week Batters Intervention Program, payment of restitution to victims and completion of community service. They also monitor other Evidence-Based treatment programs as needed. Probation officers aid the success of the clients by face-to-face contact, monthly office visits, community and home visits twice a month. Officers of the DV Unit coordinate the DV Batterer’s quarterly roundtable, attends the quarterly DV Task Force and Northern California Regional DV Roundtable meetings with surrounding counties.

We presently have three providers that offer services to clients for the Batter’s Intervention Counseling. The providers are certified annually through our department. The providers are: Valley Community Counseling Services; Jim Johnson; and Brett Green and Associates

The Intensive Programming Unit monitors compliance for clients determined to be high-risk, or who are not making satisfactory adjustments on probation. This Unit conducts monthly visits with the client to monitor compliance with court-ordered conditions of probation. This is accomplished through an assessment that will generate the top three criminogenic needs of the client which will determine the appropriate treatment program and creates an appropriate treatment based case plan. In addition, the Officers also facilitate Evidence Based Programs and Effective Practices in Community Supervision to clients.

The Unit provides supervision to clients who have been convicted with a felony charge and/or have a serious drug/alcohol problem, who are currently participating in felony drug court. The officer works in collaboration with the designated Judges and court case managers, and attends weekly court sessions to monitor the program progress and completion for the clients.