Frequently Asked Questions
- What should I bring to my appointment with my Probation Officer?
- What should I not bring to my appointment with my Probation Officer?
- What if I cannot report to the Probation Office because of my job or school?
- What if I cannot keep a scheduled appointment with my probation officer?
- I was just released from prison, what is the first thing I should do?
- What are my Conditions of Probation?
- What is a Violation of Probation?
- What do I do if I am arrested?
- What if I have a “No Contact” order?
- Where do I send my restitution payments and/or Court costs?
- Can I travel or move out of state?
- Can I carry a firearm?
- What is a case plan?
- Can I finish my probation early?
- Why is it important that I participate in treatment?
- Am I responsible to pay for my treatment services?
- Why do I have to sign a Release of Information?
- Where do I perform my community service hours?
- Can I vote?
- Can I get my case sealed?
- Do I have to pay to be on probation? How do I pay supervision fees?
- Miscellaneous
- Photo ID (Driver’s License or State ID card).
- Proof of where you live (utility bill, business mail, etc.).
- Proof of employment (pay stub or note from employer).
- Proof of changes, if any, to your name, address, telephone.
- Proof of any completed treatment.
You will pass through a metal detector and be searched, so you should not bring the following:
- Weapons or anything that can be used as a weapon.
3. What if I cannot report to the Probation Office because of my job or school?
Notify your probation officer and he or she will see if there are other options.
4. What if I cannot keep a scheduled appointment with my probation officer?
Contact your probation officer immediately. Do not think that simply leaving a message on reporting day is sufficient.
5. I was just released from prison on Judicial Release, what is the first thing I should do?
Your probation begins on the day you finish your prison sentence and you are expected to contact Adult Probation immediately. If you were given instructions before your release, you must follow those instructions.
6. What are my Conditions of Probation?
They are the standard conditions of probation that apply to everyone and any special conditions ordered by the judge in your case (see Rules of Supervision on this website).
- When you do not follow the conditions of your probation, it is a violation of probation.
- If you do not follow your conditions or you are arrested/convicted of a new charge, your Probation Officer may bring your case back to court which might include being arrested on a Violation of Probation Warrant.
- There will be a court hearing and if a violation is proved, you may be sentenced to jail or prison.
If you are arrested, charged with any offense, or have any police contact, notify your Probation Officer as soon as possible. You may do this in person or by telephone.
You must not have or attempt to have any contact with the person or place. If that person tries to contact you, do not agree to have contact and notify your Probation Officer immediately.
10. Where do I send my restitution and Court costs?You will be given a form with instructions about your restitution and what is required. Payments must be in the form of a bank check, money order or credit card. Your payments must be made in the Medina County Clerk of Courts (criminal division) office. You must include your printed name and case number with your payment.Court costs, restitution and fines are paid directly to the Medina County Clerk of Courts and can be paid by one of the following methods.
- Mail payment made out to Medina County Clerk of Courts, to Medina County Clerk of Courts, 225 E. Washington Street, Medina, Ohio 44256 Include your case number on your payment. Do not send cash.
- Go to the Clerk of Courts Office and make a payment by cash, check, money order or credit card. There is a $3.00 fee for credit card payments.
- You can also pay on line at: https://www.convenupay.net/MedinaClerk/
- There is an additional $3.00 fee for online payments.
You may not travel or move out of state without permission from your Probation Officer.
12. Can I carry a firearm?
No probationer may possess any firearms if on probation for a felony or a misdemeanor crime.
13. What is a case plan?
It is a plan that you and your probation officer develop together to help you meet your needs, stay out of trouble, and obey your conditions of probation.
14. Can I finish my probation early?
Maybe. If you meet all of the conditions imposed in your case. Your probation officer will tell you whether your case can be reviewed at the halfway point. In making a recommendation about ending your probation early, your probation officer will consider how you have done in several areas including complying with your conditions of probation, participating in programs, and showing improvement in areas that caused you to get in trouble in the past.
15. Why is it important that I participate in treatment?
Your Probation Officer may refer you to a treatment program. There are many different types of treatment. These programs will help you improve your situation; they are not a punishment. However, not cooperating with treatment may result in a violation of probation. You may not want to go to treatment. This is normal. Programs require your time and effort. The most important first step for you is to go. Once there, if you look at treatment as an opportunity, you will get the most out of it; give yourself the best chance for success.
16. Am I responsible to pay for my treatment services?
You may have to pay for your treatment. However, you may be eligible for services through private or state funding, free services, or services that are offered at a reduced cost.
17. Why do I have to sign a Release of Information?
It is necessary for you to sign the Release of Information so that your Probation Officer can find out if you attended and finished the treatment program.
18. Where do I perform my community service hours?
If the judge has not specifically told you where to do your community service, the Community Service Coordinator located in the probation department will give you information as to where to perform your hours.
Yes, but first you must be registered in the town where you live.
Which states allow independent voters to vote?
Answer: as of 2010:
(1) States where prisoner, probationers, & paroles can vote (2 states: ME, VT)
(2) States where probations & paroles can vote (13 states plus DC: DC, HI, IL, IN, MA, MI, MT, NH, ND, OH, OR, PA, RI, UT)
(3) States where only probationers can vote (5 states: CA, CO, CT, NY, SD)
(4) States where all people with felony convictions can vote upon completion of their sentence (20 states: AK, AR, GA, ID, IA, KS, LA, MD, MN, MD, NE, NJ, NM, NC, OK, SC, TX, WA, WV, WI)
(5) States where only some people with felony convictions can vote (8 states: AL, AZ, DE, FL, MS, NV, TN, WY)
(6) States where all people with felony convictions are permanently not allowed to vote (2 states: KY, VA)
20. Can I get my case sealed?
Certain offenses are expugnable. If your case was a felony conviction you must wait three years after the end of your probationary period to apply. If your case was a misdemeanor offense you must wait one year after the end of your probationary period to apply. Greg: Can we please have a link back to expungements?”
21. Do I have to pay to be on probation and how do I pay them?
Yes. Ohio law requires that persons convicted of any felony crime and sentenced to a term of probation shall pay an administrative fee in the amount of $40.00 per month.
Supervision fees are paid directly to the Probation Department and can be paid by one of the following methods.
- Call 330-725-9791 during office hours and pay by credit card. There is a $2.00 convenience fee for paying by credit card.
- Go to the Probation Department and pay by cash, money order or credit card. There is a $2.00 convenience fee for paying by credit card.
- Mail a money order or certified bank check made out to Medina County Treasurer to Medina County Adult Probation Department, 99 Public Square, Medina, OH 44256. Include the last name of the offender on the money order. Do not send cash or a personal check.
22. Miscellaneous
I have information about a probation client who is committing criminal activity. How should I report this information?
You should contact your local police precinct if the client is committing a new offense.