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Adult Court Division

Ensuring Safety and Rehabilitation

Probation Services in Action

The Tulare County Probation Department seves the Court by providing pre and post sentencing recommendations designed to protect the community, enhance the quality of life, and serve the Court.

Court Services

The Probation Department partners with the Tulare County Superior Court, providing Probation Court Officers in the Pre Trial and Specialty Courts, which includes Veteran’s Court, Drug Court, Recovery Court, and Mental Health Court. These court officers act as a liaison between agencies and provide assistance when needed.

Pretrial Services

With changes in legislation over the years, Pretrial release and detention have changed from a monetary system to a risk-based system. Probation Officers complete and provide the Court with the Public Safety Assessment at Arraignment. The Tulare County Superior Court judges use the assessment information to facilitate the safe and efficient release of arrestees before trial, using the least restrictive monitoring practices, while protecting public safety and ensuring court appearances.

Supervised Own Recognizance Release (SORR)

The Court may order a defendant, who must voluntarily agree to as a condition of their pretrial release, submit to supervision, which may include GPS monitoring, search and other terms. The release of an individual is determined by the Court, utilizing an actuarial risk assessment called the Public Safety Assessment. The assessment tool predicts the likelihood of failures to appear at future court dates and the likelihood of the commission of new criminal offenses.

For more information regarding the Public Safety Assessment, please visit: https://advancingpretrial.org/psa/about/

Adult Investigations

Pursuant to the California Penal Code Section 1203(b)(2)(A), the Probation Department is required to conduct a thorough investigation of persons convicted of a felony offense, which includes a comprehensive review of case related documents, interviewing interested parties, compiling a report and formulating recommendations to guide the Courts in their sentencing decisions. The investigators are well versed in the nuances of California Sentencing law and the Rules of Court. The investigators ensure victims are adequately represented during the Court process and submit restitution recommendations on behalf of the victims.

Interstate Compact (ICOTS)

If a probationer must move across state lines, an Interstate Compact between the states would permit the offender to reside in the new state and transfer authority of their supervision to the state of residence. Although the jurisdiction does not transfer, offenders under ICOTS have the opportunity to remain in compliance with their probation terms from the original state while benefiting from services available within the state that they reside.