Probation
The Toledo Municipal Court Probation Department operates under the authority of the Toledo Municipal Court judges. The primary role of the department is to support the court in managing offenders. Probation officers investigate, supervise, and monitor adult offenders, and provide information and recommendations to the judges.
In addition to serving the court, the Probation Department also serves offenders and the community. Public safety is promoted by reducing risk and changing offender behavior. Local partnerships with government agencies, social services, and community groups further support this effort.
The Probation Department provides a wide range of services throughout the court process. This includes pre-sentence, alternative sentences, and both standard and specialized post-sentence programs. Through these programs, the Probation Department assists victims and holds offenders accountable.
Investigations: A judge can order the Probation Department to complete a pre-sentence investigation (PSI) report after a guilty plea is entered in court. The purpose of the PSI report is to help the court in making a sentencing decision. A probation officer interviews the offender and gathers information about his or her personal life. The probation officer also interviews the victim to find out about the physical, emotional, or financial harm caused by the offender.
A PSI report summarizes information for the judge about the facts of the crime, the offender’s view of what happened, the victim’s statement, money owed for restitution, and past traffic and criminal records. The PSI report also talks about the offender’s family life, school and work history, mental health status, and drug and alcohol use. The PSI report ends with a recommendation. Based on the offender’s individual risk and needs, the probation officer makes recommendations regarding sentencing, including jail, fines, and probation services. Probation officers also make recommendations about whether someone qualifies for a record expungement.
Active Probation Supervision: Probation supervision is a court-ordered punishment that is placed on a person convicted of a crime. It is an alternative to jail and allows the offender to stay in the community under the supervision of a probation officer.
Probation begins at the moment of sentencing and the average term is one year. Basic probation conditions include staying crime-free, keeping a job, reporting on time to the probation officer, and paying all court fees. Offenders can also be required to comply with special court-ordered conditions such as no contact with the victim, drug testing, community service, or attending counseling. The payment of fines and victim restitution is also an important part of probation supervision.
Offenders are assigned to a probation officer who sets up a reporting schedule and case plan based on the risk and needs of the offender. A supervision level of high, medium or low is based on an assessment of the offender’s risk to the community and the services needed. Offenders who present the highest risk to the community are given the most intensive supervision.
Probation officers guide and help offenders comply with their sentences. The goal is to stop future crime. Offenders must report as directed and provide verification of program attendance and completion. Offenders who fail to comply with the conditions of probation are returned to court and appear before a judge at a probation violation (PV) hearing. A PV hearing can result in continued probation or the enforcement of a jail term.
Inactive Probation Supervision: Inactive probation is a court-ordered sanction that is placed on a person convicted of a crime. Offenders do not report to a probation officer; however, they must still follow all other basic conditions of probation. During the supervision period, the case is monitored for new arrests. At the end of probation, the case is reviewed to determine offender compliance and ability to stay out of trouble. If the offender complied with all probation conditions, then the case is allowed to close with no further action by the court.
Alternatives Program: The Alternatives Program helps eligible first-time offenders avoid a formal conviction. The program holds first-time offenders accountable for their actions through a 4-hour classroom or online session. There is an e-course for drug and alcohol-type offenses. Each session talks about making good choices and staying out of trouble. Participants who stay crime-free and complete the program are granted a one-time case dismissal and sealing of their record.
Community Service Probation Program (CSPP): The Community Service Probation Program (CSPP) is an alternative sentencing option that allows offenders to complete public service work instead of paying fines or serving time in jail. This sanction helps the community as well as holds offenders accountable for their criminal behavior. The CSPP Officer places offenders at a variety of non-profit work sites throughout Lucas County. Offenders help in soup kitchens or complete gardening, office work, cleaning, or maintenance work. If an offender fails to comply with a community service order, the case is brought back to court for a review or probation violation hearing.
Ohio’s Driver Intervention Program (DIP) is a sentencing alternative to the minimum mandatory 3-day jail term for first-offense OVI/DUI convictions. A 6-day DIP is also available. The DIP curriculum includes education and small group discussions that focus on the symptoms of drug or alcohol abuse, treatment, self-help resources, and the legal consequences of driving while impaired. For additional information on this program click here.
Electronic Monitoring (EM): Electronic Monitoring (EM) allows offenders to attend school or keep a job while serving their sentence at home. Offender activity outside the home is restricted and monitored through surveillance, telephone contacts, and electronic equipment. Curfew schedules can be adjusted so offenders can work, attend school, or attend counseling. The Probation Department notifies the court of violations and a judge makes a ruling about the offender’s release status. EM can be court-ordered as a condition of probation or as a stand-alone sentence.
Intensive Supervision Probation (ISP): Intensive Supervision Probation (ISP) is a jail diversion program for high-risk offenders. The program is funded by a grant from the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Corrections. Supervision is short and intensive. Offenders must follow strict conditions such as curfew, drug testing, treatment, and reporting as often as three times per week. After completing ISP, offenders are transferred to an active probation caseload for the rest of their sentence. The grant also pays for emergency drug and alcohol treatment services for standard probation offenders who cannot pay.
Kiosk Reporting: Kiosk reporting is available to low-risk offenders who meet certain criteria. These select offenders use a kiosk station to report to their probation officer. Kiosk-reporting offenders must still follow all probation conditions such as making restitution and avoiding new criminal charges. The TMC kiosk is located on the first floor of the Toledo Municipal Court across from the public elevators. Reporting hours are Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. More information about kiosk reporting including locations and hours of operation is available here.
Probation Information Line (419-567-2600): The Probation Information Line is available to all people who are on probation with the Toledo Municipal Court. When used, this service sends a text message to the probationer’s cell phone with the name and phone number of the probationer’s officer, their next appointment date, and any restitution balance. For more information on this service, click here.
License Intervention (formerly known as the RED Program): The license intervention specialist educates citizens about how to get a valid Ohio driver’s license. The specialist also informs drivers about immobilization, wrongful entrustment, vehicle forfeiture, “clubbing” a vehicle, the SR 22 bond process, limited driving privileges, and vehicle releases. In addition, the specialist reviews requests for driving privileges. To submit a request to determine if you are eligible for driving privileges, a BMV payment plan, or other license-related requests, please click here to complete and submit a request form. The phone number for the LIS Office is (419) 245-1590. See FAQ 5–12 for more information about the LIS Program or its services.
Additional information about suspensions and reinstatement requirements can be found at the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles website: BMV OnlineServices
Restitution: Restitution can be court-ordered as a condition of probation or as a stand-alone sentence. In cases where there is an identifiable dollar loss, the judge can order an offender to pay restitution to the victim through the Probation Department. If the offender does not follow through with this responsibility, he or she will be considered in violation of the court order and can be taken back before the judge for further court proceedings. The probation administrative secretary coordinates the collection and disbursement of restitution. Offender restitution payments are disbursed to the victim whenever a) an account has received $200 paid in; b) there have been no offender payments in four months; c) the case goes bench warrant or d) the account is paid in full. It is important that victims notify the Probation Department of any change of address or phone number in order to receive timely payments. The restitution coordinator can be contacted by phone at (419) 245-1930.
