Adult Court FAQs

You have the right to be treated in a respectful and professional manner, free from any form of harassment, bias, or discrimination. If you have any problems or issues, speak with your Probation Officer or the Supervising Probation Officer.

A sentence of probation does not restrict your right to vote. You need to register in the county and district where you reside.  Other situations can affect your rights to vote click here to Learn more about voting rights.

Your Probation Officer may need to see you once a week, once a month, or some other interval depending upon your circumstances.

You must report on the day and time assigned by your Probation Officer. If an emergency or illness prevents you from reporting, call your Probation Officer to get a new appointment.

You may receive a letter directing you to report. Your Probation Officer may call you or visit your home. Failure to report may result in a violation of probation.

You should bring the following:

• Photo identification (Driver’s License or State ID)

• Verification of residence (utility bill or business mail)

• Proof of employment (pay stub or note from your employer), if possible

• Documents verifying other means of financial support

• Proof of completed treatment, community service, or restitution

You should never bring drugs, weapons (including knives, box cutters, screwdrivers, or any other weapon), or alcohol to your appointments. Children, pets, or any other companions are not allowed unless specifically authorized by your Probation Officer or Supervising Probation Officer.

Yes, Probation Officers have the legal right to make unannounced visits to your residence.

Yes, your Probation Officer may contact your employer or visit your place of employment.

Your Probation Officer will inform you if you are required by law to provide a DNA sample.

Probation requires that you work or attend school or a vocational program while under supervision because doing so improves the your chance of success. Exceptions may be made for those with physical disabilities that prevent them for working or those who are in residential treatment.

You must complete the number of hours ordered by the court.

Any client can apply to the Court for an Early Discharge. Only the Court has the power to grant this request.

DOP may submit a request an Early Discharge of your case if you meet certain criteria. Only the Court has the power to grant this request.

The Centralized Interstate Unit (CIU) coordinates transfers of all probation clients who are leaving and coming to New York City from other states or other counties within New York State. To facilitate this process, CIU staff communicates with clients, local probation officers, and probation officers in other jurisdictions throughout the country.

In the event of planned or unplanned travel outside of NYC, probation clients who are in good standing may be given approval to travel within the United States. The probation client must provide details and verification of the trip as soon as possible.

If there are reasonable grounds to believe that a person has violated any of the conditions of his/her probation sentence, a violation of probation is filed with the Court. The violation of probation notifies the probation client of the conditions of probation that were violated and gives a reasonable description of the violation. You may be taken into custody and brought before the Court, or the Court may direct you to appear before the Court to answer the charges against you. Failure to appear before the Court may result in a bench warrant being issued for your return to Court and additional charges being filed against you.

At a violation of probation hearing you are entitled to legal representation. You are afforded an opportunity to be heard, and the Court may conduct a hearing. At the end of the hearing your probation sentence may be revoked, continued or modified. If your probation sentence is revoked, you may be resentenced to a term of imprisonment.

Treatment can help you overcome challenges that are preventing you from achieving your goals.

You must attend treatment when mandated or directed to do so by the Court or your Probation Officer.

You may have to pay for your treatment. However, you may be eligible to receive financial support or free or reduced-cost services—ask your Probation Officer.

If you are re-arrested, charged with any offense, or come into contact with the police, contact your Probation Officer immediately. You may do this in person or by phone.

You must report to your Probation Officer in person within one business day.

Court fines and court fees must be paid directly to the Court that sentenced you.

If you were sentenced within New York City, your restitution payments should be sent to Safe Horizon. If you were sentenced outside of New York City, speak to your Probation Officer if you have any questions.

These are official records of what happened in a particular criminal case. Some public and private employers will require you get one for each of your convictions when you apply for work. To do so, see the Court Clerk in the borough of sentencing. Note that felonies and misdemeanors are often handled in different rooms. Bring a photo ID and, if you have it, the docket number for your case. Certificates might require a small fee which may be waived if you meet certain criteria.

New York City law requires that persons convicted of any crime under Article 31 of the vehicle and traffic law and sentenced to a term of probation shall pay the New York City Department of Probation an administrative fee in the amount of $30.00 per month.

To get your driver's license/driving privileges back, you must contact the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). The Department of Probation cannot reissue your license.

At the time of sentencing the Court will make the determination if a person must register with the Sex Offender Registry.

At the time of sentencing the Court will make the determine how long a person must remain on the NYS Sex Offender Registry.

Failing to register with the NY State Sex Offender Registry is a crime can result in a Violation of Probation filed against you.

Please refer to www.criminaljustice.ny.gov/nsor.

A pre-sentence investigation report is prepared by DOP when ordered by the Court. DOP gathers information regarding the defendant including, but not limited to, the circumstances of the current offense, criminal history of the defendant, the defendant’s social history, physical and mental health, employment history, education, personal habits, family situation and economic status.

The pre-sentence investigation report assists the Court in determining an appropriate sentence for a person convicted of a crime. Defendants are encouraged to provide documentation to DOP that they believe would assist in this process. DOP will also obtain information for the pre-sentence investigation report from interviews with the defendant, family members and victims.

If you receive a sentence of probation, you may be eligible to apply for a Certificate of Relief from Disabilities, which generally removes statutory or legal barriers to employment for people convicted of a crime. Therefore, instead of being automatically disqualified from holding certain jobs because of your conviction, the employer must consider you on an individual basis. In order to be eligible for a certificate of relief, you cannot have been convicted of more than one felony.

A Certificate of Good Conduct may be granted by the State Board of Parole to a person who was convicted of a crime anywhere in NY State and who was sentenced to a term of incarceration in a NYS Department of Correctional Services facility. It may also be available to those who have been convicted of more than one crime in NY State, or a crime in any other jurisdiction. The State Board of Parole has the power to issue this certificate. It is similar to the Certificate of Relief from Disabilities in that it can remove legal barriers to employment.

An Order of Protection is a court order that requires an individual to refrain from certain acts with respect to the protected party. If the individual fails to comply, he or she may face criminal and/or civil penalties.

The court order may prohibit a person from contacting a victim and can order a person to stay away from the victim, the victim’s home, workplace or school. You should ask your lawyer to explain all of the rules when an order of protection is issued against you.

In the event of an emergency call 911 immediately. Additionally, you may email hello@probation.nyc.gov.