Frequently Asked Questions

A:  Community Supervision (formerly known as Adult Probation) is ordered by a judge or jury whenever a defendant pleads, or is found, guilty of a felony or misdemeanor offense.  The offender is permitted to remain living and working in the community rather than being sentenced to a term of incarceration in the County Jail or the Texas Department of Criminal Justice – Correctional Institutions Division. (TDCJ-CID)(state prison).

When a defendant is placed on community supervision, he/she is ordered to certain terms and conditions of supervision which are determined by the judge.  The initial term of community supervision can be up to five years for state jail felonies and up to 10 years for first, second or third degree felonies.  For misdemeanor cases, the initial term of community supervision can be up to two years.  

The Community Supervision and Corrections Department of Tarrant County is charged with supervising defendants ordered to community supervision in accordance with the court-ordered conditions. This is an opportunity to promote positive change in a defendant’s behavior.  

If a defendant abides by the conditions of supervision to the Court’s satisfaction, he/she will be discharged from further supervision after completing the original term and any extensions. In some cases, early release from supervision can be granted.  

If a defendant does not abide by the conditions of supervision, the defendant’s case can be brought back before the Court and a variety of court actions can occur, including the revocation of community supervision.  If a defendant’s term of community supervision is revoked, he/she can be sentenced to the County Jail or the TDCJ-CID.

A:  There is no difference between probation and community supervision.  In 1989, the 71st Legislature changed the name from “Adult Probation Department” to “Community Supervision and Corrections Department.” 

A:  While both are considered types of “community supervision”, Parole is the supervised conditional release of a prisoner before the expiration of his or her sentence in TDCJ- Correctional Institutions Division (prison).  If an offender is granted parole by the Board of Pardons and Paroles, the offender may serve the remainder of their sentence in the community under the supervision and control of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice –  Parole Division.

Community supervision (probation) occurs prior to a defendant serving time in the County Jail or the TDCJ-CID. Its purpose is aimed at assisting to bring about positive change in a defendant’s behavior in order to prevent him/her from being sentenced to any term of incarceration.

A:   When placed on probation by the Judge your probation begins as soon as you sign your paperwork in court.  If you are working, you should plan to take the entire day off of work, even if your court time is early in the morning.  You will be instructed to set up your payment plan for Fine, Court Costs and/or Attorney Fees immediately after leaving the courtroom at the Justice Center. Felony cases set up payment plan with the District Clerk located on the 3rd Level and Misdemeanor cases set up payment plan with the County Clerk located on the 2nd Level.

*If you are in custody,  you will be returned to the Tarrant County Jail and usually you will be released to CSCD (Probation) the next business morning unless the Judge has ordered additional jail time as a condition of your probation. Upon release from jail, you will be escorted to the Central Office by a probation officer. You will need to return to the Justice Center, located at 401 W. Belknap, to set up your payment plan for Fine, Court Costs and/or Attorney Fees.

After payment plan has been set up you will precede across Belknap Street to the Central Office for CSCD (Probation), located at 200 W. Belknap (approximately one block from the Justice Center). You will go to the 2nd Floor Room 200 and be processed. This includes having your picture taken and a file created for your case(s). You will be asked to provide some reference information including name, phone number and address. You will need to provide your complete address where you are residing. If you reside in Tarrant County you will be given written reporting instructions to meet with your assigned officer at a field service unit based on the ZIP code where you reside (Some specialized caseload placements may require you to report to a location that is not the closest to your residence). If you reside outside of Tarrant County, you will meet with your court officer to review your conditions and discuss possibly transferring your case to the county where you reside. You will also be given a budget worksheet that will need to be completed prior to your first meeting with your assigned officer.

You will also need to complete an assessment with our Assessment Unit, located on the 1st Floor at 300 W. Belknap. Everyone placed on probation is required to complete an assessment, as this will determine if there are any additional classes, programs or conditions that are recommended for your case. The assessment process can take a couple of hours to fully complete.

If you are ordered to participate in a random drug testing program as part of your probation, you may need to submit a non-dilute, non-adulterated urine, hair, blood, breath, or saliva sample for testing for controlled substances. There is a collection lab located at the Central Office in the basement.

Probation fee payments and restitution payments, if ordered, can be made at the Central Office with Cash, Money Order or Cashier’s Check. Payments made at field units can be made with Money Order or Cashier’s Check.

Prior to your first meeting with your assigned officer please review your probationer handbook and bring the items listed on the back cover with you when you meet your officer for the first time.

A:  You MUST bring the following items with you when you report to your supervision officer for your first appointment:

• Completed Budget Worksheet (which is included in your Probationer Handbook),
• Driver’s license and insurance card,
• Texas ID (if you don’t have a driver’s license),
• High school diploma / GED documentation,
• Documentation of any existing medical condition,
• All drug prescriptions,
• Verification of address (e.g., lease, water bill, etc.),
• Verification of employment (e.g., check stub),
• Immigration Registration (if applicable),
• Social Security card,
• Certificates from any program(s) you have already completed,
• Your copy of your conditions of supervision, and
• Any other paperwork from your court processing.

A:  Payments can be made at our Central Office in the form of cash, Money Order or Cashier’s Check made payable to CSCD.  Payments made at our satellite field service units must be by Money Order or Cashier’s check made payable to CSCD. At the present time, we do not accept payments by credit/debit card. Payments made through the mail should only be made by Money Order or Cashier’s check.

All mail should be directed to :   

     Tarrant County CSCD
     200 W. Belknap
     Fort Worth, TX 76196-0225

Please make sure that the probationer’s name and CID number are on the money order or cashier’s check. 

A:  CSCD may review probation cases after one-half of the probation is completed.  Cases in good standing  are forwarded to the court of jurisdiction for review.  Early dismissal from probation is at the sole discretion of the judge.  
Some offenses are not eligible by law for early dismissal:

• Any case of Driving While Intoxicated;
• Any case of Intoxication Assault or Intoxication Manslaughter;
• Any case that requires the probationer to register as a sex offender; and/or
  
• Any case that is a State Jail Felony conviction.
  

If you are interested in early dismissal and/or a reduction in supervision requirements, talk to your officer to see what you need to do to get in good standing.  Please remember that some people will not qualify for reduced supervision or early dismissal even if he/she has met the time requirement.

A:  People on deferred adjudication supervision can vote.  People on adjudicated probation cannot vote until after he/she completes their supervision.
Refer to Eligibility for Registration on the Texas Secretary of State website.