Probation Supervision
Probation officers in Community Corrections Services provide case management and supervision over individuals placed on probation with the Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court. Probation supervision includes monitoring compliance with court orders and conditions of probation supervision, making referrals to court ordered programs and services, assessing individuals for treatment and service needs, and tailoring service plans to meet those needs using various Evidence-Based Practices including Motivational Interviewing. Probation meetings occur at least once per month at the Fairfax Courthouse or at one of the Juvenile Probation field offices.
- Individuals can be referred or court-ordered into treatment and services, such as:
- domestic violence intervention programs
- anger management
- mental health
- substance abuse
- sex offender treatment
- parenting class
- Risk assessments called the MOST and OST (Modified Offender Screening Tool and Offender Screening Tool) are conducted on individuals on probation to assist in determining criminogenic risks and needs.
- If alleged to be in violation of the court ordered conditions or conditions of probation, affidavits may be filed with the Court.
Pre-Trial Services Program
The Pre-trial Services Program (PSP) provides support services, screening and investigative information to Judicial Officers to assist them in making informed decisions in determining bond. Upon being placed in the Pre-Trial Services Program, Pre-Trial Supervision Officers provide case management and community supervision to individuals placed in the program as a condition of their bond and while awaiting trial. PSP supervision also includes making referrals to treatment services, conducting drug/alcohol screening as required, monitoring compliance of conditions of bond and notifying the Judicial Officers of any new violations of the law or non-compliance of the conditions of bond.
Pre-trial investigations are conducted by interviewing the individual at the time of incarceration and verifying the individual’s family and community ties, financial resources, residence, history of employment, history of or current abuse of alcohol or controlled substances and criminal history. As part of the investigation, an evidence-based assessment is used to identify the criminogenic risks and needs of the individuals being interviewed.
- This information is used by the court to assist with making informed decisions in determining risk of failure to return to court and risk to public safety.
- These services run parallel with Fairfax County’s Diversion First initiative--offering alternatives to incarceration for individuals in contact with the criminal justice system for low level offenses and suffering from mental illness or developmental disabilities. The goal is to offer assessment, treatment and support needed while maintaining public safety. Without pre-trial services, many offenders spend significant amounts of time in jail before trial and/or sentencing.