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Adult Probation Supervision

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Probation is a court sentence that allows certain clients to stay in the community under the supervision of a probation officer. Probation Services also supervises juveniles who have been found delinquent and enforces child support orders. 

Overview

Probation is

  • part of the court system;
  • a criminal or municipal sentence for adults;
  • a program to supervise clients who have been diverted through pretrial intervention or conditional discharge;
  • an opportunity to remain in the community when guidelines are met;
  • a system of supervision and services to help clients reach their goals; and
  • an opportunity for self-improvement for clients to become responsible and law-abiding people.

In general, clients must:

Participants are urged to work, get job readiness training or enroll in school if their substance-use disorder is stable.

Probation clients can be connected to employment and job training through the Judiciary Opportunities for Building Success “JOBS” Program.

Probation officers help clients successfully complete their conditions of supervision. Probation officers also

  • help clients find the services they need, such as job placement or counseling services; and
  • track the progress of each client and report back to the court on each case.

Violations of Probation

The probation officer will use sanctions and incentives to encourage compliance with the terms of the sentence and the conditions of probation. If a client does not comply, the probation officer will file a violation of probation (VOP). If a VOP is filed, the client’s probation could be revoked and the client could go to jail.

Behavioral Health/Substance Abuse Resources
Vicinage Probation Contact Information

Customer Service

How to contact the Probation Ombudsman

609-815-3810 ext. 16357
ProbationHelp.Mailbox@njcourts.gov

What is an Ombudsman?

The goal of the Probation Ombudsman is to provide information and assistance with probation and court procedures and to respond to questions from Probation clients and the public. 

The Probation Ombudsman cannot represent clients or court users, nor provide legal advice. The Probation Ombudsman attends and coordinates community events, county fairs and other events to familiarize the public with information about Probation and the court system, as well as build public trust and confidence in the courts.

See the list of upcoming court seminars and public events

Contact the Probation Ombudsman

  • If you have customer service issues;
  • If you have a complaint;
  • If you need contact information; or
  • If you have a question about reporting instructions.

The Probation Ombudsman will make inquires to help resolve your concerns.

What Can the Probation Ombudsman Do For You?

The Probation Ombudsman works with all parts of probation supervision including Adult, Juvenile and ISP/JISP to:

  • provide probation client assistance;
  • provide information to the public;
  • engage in community outreach;
  • investigate and resolve complaints;
  • conduct workshops; and
  • answer questions about probation.

What the Probation Ombudsman CANNOT Do For You

  • give legal advice or recommend a lawyer;
  • give an opinion about what will happen if you do not report as directed;
  • talk to your probation officer or the judge for you; or
  • change any of your conditions of probation.

See all Judiciary Ombudsman Offices. Visit the Judiciary Ombudsman Program and read the Ombudsman Program brochure to learn more. You can also take our survey.

Moving Out of State

You must make arrangements to transfer your probation supervision before you move to another state. 

The Interstate Compact for Adult Offender Supervision (ICAOS) helps protect the public and provide offenders with their best possible opportunity for success. The ICAOS website provides clients, their families, and their friends with helpful information and resources to prepare themselves for the interstate transfer process.

Answers to questions like "can I travel out-of-state for work while I am on probation," and "can I go a to long-term treatment facility out-of-state while I am on probation" can be found here.

Resources

General Resources

Call the National Suicide Prevention Hotline  at 1-800-273-8255 if you want to talk to someone. 

Call the New Jersey Division of Child Protection & Permanency at 1-877-NJ-ABUSE if you suspect a child is being abused.

You can request expungement of a juvenile record. 

Perform Care helps families across New Jersey with Behavioral Health, Intellectual/Developmental Disability Services, and Substance Use Treatment. Their service number is 1-877-652-7624.

The NJ Coalition to End Domestic Violence provides Teen Dating Violence webinars for both teens and their parents. 

Behavioral Health Resources

*In case of emergency: If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health crisis, call 911 right away.

Batterer's Intervention Services

Use the links below to find batterer's intervention services in your area

Department of Children and Families Domestic Violence Services. This department provides domestic violence programs throughout the state. 

They also fund the:
NJ Coalition to End Domestic Violence (NJCEDV) 
24-Hour Helpline: 800-572-7233

Substance Abuse Resources

**If you or someone you know is experiencing a drug overdose or alcohol poisoning call 911 right away.

Municipal Court/Conditional Discharge

Probation officers also supervise adults sentenced to probation in municipal court. Clients sentences in municipal court must report to the Vicinage Probation Division to review and sign their conditions of probation. Probation officers will review the reporting requirements with them and then monitor their compliance during their term of probation.

Conditional Discharge Requirements:

  • Report to your county probation division and take a drug test.
  • You will be assigned a probation officer.
  • The officer will tell you where to go in order to pay any fines, fees and restitution.
  • If your drug test is negative, you will not be required to report to your probation officer again.

Probation Requirements

  • Report to your county probation division and take a drug test.
  • You will be assigned a probation officer.
  • The officer will tell you where to go in order to pay any fines, fees and restitution.
  • If your drug test is negative, you will not be required to report to your probation officer again.
  • Your case will be reviewed about 30 days before your term is completed to make sure that all monies have been paid and you have not picked up any new charges.
  • If you have successfully met these requirements, a notice will be sent to the municipal court to dismiss the case.

Vicinage Probation Contact Information
Municipal Court Contact Information
Behavioral Health/Substance Abuse Resources

Domestic Violence Supervision

If you are on probation as a result of a domestic violence case, a specially trained probation officer will supervise you, track your progress, and help you find the services you need.

In addition to probation standard conditions, you might have to attend batterers counseling and you might have increased reporting.

  • Frequent contact with your probation officer at the reporting office and at home
  • Batterers counseling might be required
  • Drug testing might be required
  • Drug, alcohol and psychological counseling when necessary

Participants are urged to work, get job readiness training or enroll in school if their substance-use disorder is stable.

Contacting your probation officer

Your probation officer will give you the contact information. If you cannot find it, contact your local probation division for help.

Batterer's Intervention Services

Use the links below to find batterer's intervention services in your area

NJ Department of Children and Families Domestic Violence Services
NJ Coalition to End Domestic Violence (NJCEDV) 24-Hour Helpline: 800-572-7233

Visiting and moving out of state

You will need permission from your probation officer to leave the state.

You might not be allowed to move to another state. Your probation officer will be able to tell you how to determine your eligibility.

Behavioral Health/Substance Abuse Resources
Vicinage Probation Contact Information

Mental Health Supervision

*In case of emergency: If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health crisis, call 911 or an emergency crisis center right away.

If you are on probation and have mental health concerns, you might be eligible for specialized supervision. A specially trained probation officer will supervise you, track your progress, and help you find the services you need. Ask your probation officer if you qualify.

Mental health supervision provides:

  • Smaller caseloads, more individualized attention, and more field visits;
  • Focus on treatment and social services; and
  • Coordination with treatment providers and families to build a strong support network.

Selection process for the adult mental health supervision caseload

  • You can speak to your probation officer if you think you will be more successful on probation with a specialized probation officer who understands mental health concerns. Also, your probation officer might speak with you if he or she thinks you will benefit from extra probation support.
  • In order to be considered for this caseload, you must complete a mental health assessment or provide a copy of an assessment completed within the past year.
  • If you are not receiving mental health treatment and want a referral, you can ask your probation officer to provide one or you can find a Community Based Mental Health Agencies by County on your own.

Mental Health Services, advocacy and support resources

Sex Offender Supervision

If you are on probation as a sex offender, a specially trained probation officer will supervise you, track your progress, and help you find the services you need.

Sex offender registration

Most sex offenders must register with local law enforcement. Failure to register could result in criminal charges.

Important information for sex offenders from the NJ State Police

Internet Monitoring and Computer/Device Restrictions

You might not be allowed to access the Internet as part of your conditions of probation. Your probation officer might check your computer, laptop, cell phone, or other devices that connect to the Internet. Your probation officer will speak to family members or anyone that you live within your home.

You will have to pay for the cost of Internet monitoring. You will not be allowed to have Apple devices while you are on probation. You can ask your probation officer any questions you have about Internet monitoring.

Other requirements of probation for sex offenders

Visiting and moving out of state

You must speak to your probation officer before making plans to leave the state. You might have to register as a sex offender in the state you are visiting. Your probation officer can give you more information.

Behavioral Health/Substance Abuse Resources
Vicinage Probation Contact Information

Victim Information

Restitution

A victim or the family of a victim of a crime committed in New Jersey can be repaid for losses and expenses that resulted from the crime. This repayment is called restitution.

Any convicted person might have to pay restitution to the victim or the victim's family as part of their sentence. The victim’s expenses could include lost wages, medical bills, funeral costs, the value of stolen or damages property, loss of business, and other related debts.

When restitution is ordered, the judge decides how much money is to be paid, to whom, and over what time period. The judge will consider if the offender has other debts, such as child support or restitution for other crimes, and if the offender is employed. The judge will set up a payment plan. Payments are made to Probation Services and then Probation Services will send checks to the victims.

Probation Services will need to know the victims’ current address in order to send payment.

Read more about restitution.

Restitution payments

Restitution checks are paid at least once a month as long as the client is making timely payments to probation.

How to tell if your check is for restitution

If you have received a check from the State of New Jersey Judiciary and are unsure of its purpose, the client’s name and reference number (i.e. Client ID), and the Court's phone number will be printed on the top of the payment statement for any questions you may have.

If restitution checks stop coming

Restitution checks are sent based on the payments received from the person placed on probation. As long as enough funds are received, restitution checks will be generated.

The court must have your current address in order to send your payment. Contact your local probation office if your address changes

Victim of Crimes Compensation Office (VCCO)

Victims or their families also can receive compensation from the New Jersey Victims of Crime Compensation Office (VCCO). The VCCO can repay victims or their families for out-of-pocket medical expenses, lost wages, and funeral costs only after other sources such as insurance, health benefits, welfare, or Social Security have paid their share of the expenses. VCCO does not cover property loss or pain and suffering.

For information on filing claims, contact:

NJ Victim of Crimes Compensation Office
50 Park Place, 5th floor
Newark, NJ 07102
1-877-658-2221

Victims’ Involvement in the intensive Supervision Program (ISP)

  • ISP clients make payments to the Victims of Crime Compensation Office, if ordered.
  • All victims are invited to attend ISP hearings and to give the judges their view about your release.
  • Victims often support release into the program, since entry to the program means payment to the victims, if ordered.
  • Victims can choose to volunteer to become part of the ISP client’s case
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