When a person on probation fails to comply with the conditions of their sentence, a Violation of Probation report may be submitted to the sentencing court. The court may then issue a warrant for that person.

The Warrant Unit performs investigations that lead to the apprehension of wanted probationers. The prompt execution of these warrants serves to insure that non-compliant probationers are brought before the court in a timely manner. The Warrant Unit utilizes current technology and coordinates with other law-enforcement agencies to apprehend wanted probationers.

By having a full-time Warrant Unit, the Probation Department is able to utilize its resources to apprehend fugitives, thereby increasing the safety of the community.

When a supreme court, family court, or surrogate court judge is required to render a decision on an adoption, custody, visitation, or guardianship matter, the judge may order the Probation Department to conduct an investigation. Probation submits a report to the court with background information and recommendations for a disposition in the best interest of a child or a dependent adult.

The probation investigation is an objective representation of the facts involved in the case and provides the court with a fairly comprehensive snapshot of what it going on in the family unit.

The investigation process includes interviews of the parties and a review of all relevant records. If a home visit is ordered by the court, the Probation Officer will visit the residence, confirm who lives there and report on suitability and safety factors.

A custody, adoption, visitation, or guardianship investigation allows the Department of Probation to be the eyes and ears of the court and submit the information in a professional and concise manner.

The probation investigation and reporting process is impartial, fair, factual, analytical, pertinent and relevant to the objective of the report. Investigating probation officers must distinguish between fact and professional assessment, and between their own observations and those from other sources. The sources of all relevant information must be reported. Conducting the investigation involves many facets of work and must be orchestrated in a timely fashion to meet court deadlines. Additionally, priority is given to detained persons and family-court-designated felony-act cases.

Investigations and reports should provide the court with relevant and reliable information in a succinct, analytical presentation to aid in the decision-making process. Dispositional and regulatory agencies are entitled access to the same investigations and report information for immediate and future decision-making purposes with respect to placement/incarceration, services, and program delivery. These dispositional agencies include Probation, Social Services, New York State Office for Children and Family Services (OCFS), Division of Parole, Department of Corrections, and any other public institution or agency.

Types of probation investigations or reports:

A certificate of relief from disabilities is meant to reduce the automatic rejection and community isolation that often accompanies the conviction of crimes and contributes to the complete rehabilitation of first offenders and their successful return to responsible lives in the community.

A criminal conviction can have a number of collateral consequences that could potentially hinder eligibility for financial aid for education and housing, for the right to vote, and in finding employment. Any one of these obstacles make it difficult for an offender to re-integrate into society.

Offenders who have been convicted of a crime or of an offense, but have not been convicted of more than one felony are eligible and can apply for this certificate. If a Certificate of Relief is requested for a conviction whereby the person is currently on probation, the Certificate will only be temporary.

Download, read and complete the application form.

The Pre-Sentence investigation is the primary tool in the sentencing of a defendant. In fact, the pre-sentence investigation is a legally mandated report and plays a pivotal role at various points in the criminal justice system.

Information discovered in an investigation is information Courts can use to assist in determining how a defendant will be sentenced.

Information gleaned in pre-sentence investigations can also assist the Court when setting orders and conditions of Probation. The information contained in the pre-sentence investigation report is a permanent part of the Court record and can be accessed if a court sentence is appealed.

Probation conducts specialized pre-sentence reports for sex offense, domestic violence, mental health and DWI offenses. The pre-sentence report is used by Probation, the Court, Corrections and Parole.