Probation Department

While the practical purpose of the Probation Department is to ensure that the offender completes all tasks Ordered by the Court (which may include payment of fine and costs, restitution, community service and counseling), the Probation Department further aims to provide offenders an opportunity to prove to the Court and to themselves that they are capable of living a socially acceptable life as productive and responsible members of society.

The Judge assigns each probationer a review hearing date. The probationer must either have completed everything as Ordered by the Judge, or return to Court on the assigned date and time to explain why the probationer has not fully complied with the Judge's Order. During this period of time the probation officer tracks the progress of the probationer to make certain that he or she is complying with the Court's Order.

Toward that end, Rule 5 of the Local Rules of Court sets out the Standard Rules of Probation as enumerated below:

The probationer is hereby advised that the Court may at any time, revoke probation for cause, modify the conditions of probation, or reduce or extend the period of probation. The probationer is subject to arrest for cause and without a warrant by the probation officer or by law enforcement officers for violation of any of the following rules of probation:

1. The probationer shall not violate any federal, state or local law. The probationer must notify the probation officer, as soon as possible, of being arrested, summoned, or cited for any violation.
2. The probationer shall not leave the State of Ohio or county of residence, without permission from the probation officer.
3. The probationer shall keep the probation officer informed of his current address at all times.
4. The probationer shall make every effort to be gainfully employed at a lawful occupation.
5. The probationer shall not drink any beverage with an alcohol content, or use marijuana or any drug not prescribed to him/her by a physician.
6. The probationer shall not possess a gun, knife or any other deadly weapon.
7. The probationer shall not associate with anyone on probation or parole.
8. The probationer shall make restitution to the victim as ordered.
9. The probationer shall pay Fine and Court Costs. If unable to pay, then probationer may volunteer to work off fines on the Community Service Program receiving $5.00 per hour credit on his fine and costs.
10. The probationer shall allow the probation officer to search him, his motor vehicle and/or his dwelling at anytime the probation office has reasonable suspicion that a violation has occurred. The probation officer does not have to show the probationer a warrant.
11. The probationer shall comply with any special conditions of probation ordered by the Court or the probation officer.
12. The terms of the probation shall be set by the judgment entry.
13. These rules shall be attached to the probationers judgment entry and becomes a Court Order.