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Probation

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1. Can I vote while I am on probation?

Yes. In California, you have the right to vote while you are on probation. You must be a United States citizen, a resident of California, and at least 18 years old.

To vote in the next election, you must register to vote at least 15 days before the election. For more information, contact:

Election Division
524 Main St.
Martinez, 94553

Or call the Election Division at (925) 646-4166.

2. I was convicted of an offense and want to have it dismissed and/or reduced to a misdemeanor. How do I do this?

Contact the "Change of Plea Officer", by calling (925) 313-4000. He / she will send you a packet, which must be filled out completely and returned to Probation, before the process can start. There is a $60 fee for misdemeanor convictions and a $120 fee for felony convictions.

If you were originally charged with a misdemeanor, contact the court that handled your case. If you were originally charged with a felony, the Probation Department will handle your request.

Multiple dockets may be researched at the same time, however; no reports will be submitted to court without all of the necessary paperwork completed and returned to probation.

Please remember that all charges, convictions and sentences remain on your record, and will be noted to the court, should you be arrested in the future, regardless of the outcome of a 1203.4 PC (dismissal of conviction) or 17 PC (reduction of a felony to misdemeanor). The result of the courts decision will be added to your record.

Exceptions to a change of plea will be sent to you in the mail with your application package.

3. I want to visit my son in Juvenile Hall. When can I see him?

Minors are allowed two 1-hour blocks of visitation time per week. Each 1-hour block must be completed on two separate visitation days, one weekday and one weekend day. Parents or guardians may visit minor during specific visiting hours and with the following restrictions.

Visiting hours

For minors with the last name begining with:
A-I; Monday, 3:30 PM to 4:30 PM or 5:30 PM to 8 PM
J-R; Tuesday, 3:30 PM to 4:30 PM or 5:30 PM to 8 PM
S-Z; Wednesday, 3:30 PM to 4:30 PM or 5:30 PM to 8 PM
No visiting on Thursdays or Fridays.
A-Q; Saturday, 9:15 AM to 11:45 AM or 12:45 PM to 4:30 PM
R-Z; Sunday, 9:15 AM to 11:45 AM or 2 PM to 4:30 PM

Guidelines:
Only Parents or Guardians are allowed to visit.
Proper identification, such as a valid California driver's license or identification, must be presented.
All personal property must be left in vehicle.
All visitors must pass through the metal detector, without alarm, prior to entering the facility.
No food or drink allowed within the facility.
Some minors are on Special Visit Status, requiring a visiting appointment. Special visits must be arranged in advanced by the parent or guardian by contacting 925-957-2725.

4. How do I get my juvenile record sealed?

Record sealing is a complicated process, for further information please call (925) 313-4060. To start the process, please call (925) 313-4000 and request a Record Seal Information Packet.

There will be a $150 fee payable when you return the filled out packet.

5. My teenage child is beyond my control. She / he will not go to school, refuses to obey me, leaves and comes home whenever s/he pleases and refuses to tell me where s/he goes. Can probation help me?

The Probation Department is an arm of the court and an integral part of the criminal justice system. Children and adults are placed on probation by the court after a finding that they have committed a crime.

In this scenario Probation would lack jurisdiction and be unable to provide direct services. However, Probation Officers routinely work with counselors, school officials and other professionals who do provide direct services to troubled families.

Please call and ask to speak to the officer of the day if you would like to be referred to a local resource agency. In East and Central County call: (925) 313-4000. In West County call: (510) 374-3041.

6. My boyfriend has threatened to hurt my family and me. What can I do to make him understand I want nothing more to do with him?

The behavior you have described may be a crime. Under California Penal Code Section 646.9 Stalking may be punished by imprisonment in the county jail for not more than a year or in the state prison for up to three years.

You should contact your local police department immediately and file a report. You may wish to contact a women’s program such as the Battered Women’s Alternatives (888) 215-5555.

The Probation Department lacks jurisdiction unless your boyfriend is being supervised by a probation officer. However, if you would like further information please call the Probation Department in Martinez and ask to speak to the supervisor of the Domestic Violence Unit at (925) 313-4151.