Criminal
Bucks County Adult Probation and Parole
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference
between probation and parole ?
Probation is a sentence allowing the offender to remain in the community under
supervision. The courts have the right to re-sentence the offender if he/she
violates the rules and regulations of their probation.
Parole is a conditional release from incarceration, not a release
from legal custody, under a set Rules similar to probation. In Pennsylvania,
an inmate must serve at least the minimum Sentence before being paroled.
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What is the difference
between a County and a State sentence?
NOTE: DUI legislation taking effect in 2004 creates exceptions to the answer
below. The exceptions are for only DUI arrests on or after February 1, 2004.
In Pennsylvania, a sentence of incarceration will normally have a minimum and
a maximum length of time. In fact, the minimum cannot be more than ½ of
the maximum sentence. This is why you will note that sentences are 1 to 2 years,
3 months to 23 months, 10 to 20 years, etc. In Pennsylvania, a State sentence
is one in which the maximum sentence is 2 years or more. A County sentence
of incarceration is one in which the maximum sentence is 2 years minus one
day or less. For State sentences, the Pennsylvania Board of Probation and Parole
assumes responsibility for the case, determines when the inmate is to be paroled,
and supervises the parole case through their state agents. In a County sentence,
the sentencing judge determines parole and supervises the case through our
department's parole officers.
Usually, a State sentence will be served in State Correctional Institution
(Graterford, Camp Hill, etc.) and a County sentence will be served
at the County Jail. However, the sentencing judge may choose to allow
the offender to serve a sentence of up to a maximum of 5 years minus
one day in the county jail even though it is a State Sentence.
Our Department supervises County jail sentences when they are paroled.
We also supervise almost all of the persons placed on probation,
without consideration of the length of the probation sentence.
If you need to contact a State Parole Agent that supervises a case
in Bucks County, call the PA Board of Probation and Parole District
Office out of Allentown at (610) 791-6157.
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How often will I be seen while I
am on probation/parole?
Rule #1 of the Rules and Regulations states that a probationer/parolee will
permit a PO to visit them at their home or place of employment. However a PO
will generally try to schedule appointments around your work schedule.
This depends upon you, your history, your behavior, and several
factors used in determining how often you are to be seen. Your PO
will discuss this with you when they see you. They may see you as
often as necessary to see that you are complying with the orders
of the court and help you complete your probation or parole period
successfully.
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If my PO is late for a scheduled
appointment how long do I have to wait?
Generally, you are asked to wait a half-hour past your appointment time. A
telephone call to the office after 15 minutes past the appointment time would
be a good suggestion. Especially if you do not have a telephone number that
the PO can reach you in case there has been an emergency for which the PO is
unable to keep the scheduled appointment.
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If I am on probation or parole, can
I live with someone else who is on probation/parole?
In general there is usually not a problem with someone living with a probationer/parolee,
however the PO will review this on a case by case basis.
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Who do I call for
Drug/Alcohol, Mental Health Evaluations?
Each officer has a list of agencies that are certified in various treatments.
If it is a condition of your supervision or you want help, call your PO. Your
PO will not only tell you whom to call, your PO will fax information to the
treatment provider and make it very easy for you to comply with the court order,
or get the help you want.
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Why do I have to
submit urine samples for drug-testing?
As you know, there are two rules in General Supervision that address your concern.
They are:
Rule #6: I am forbidden to use, posses or distribute Controlled
Substances and/or dangerous drugs. I will abstain from excessive
use of alcohol.
Rule #7: I will voluntarily submit urine, blood or breath tests
as requested.
During your period of supervision you will probably be asked to
submit a urine sample so that we can verify to the court that your
are complying with Rule 6. It is not uncommon in many cases to require
several urine samples during a period of supervision. If there are
concerns about drug use, you may even be asked to give urine samples
on a random basis.
It is also not uncommon to be asked to give a breath test to determine
if there is alcohol present in your body.
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How do I get a Travel Permit?
Our Department operates under a cooperative agreement with all States in the
USA and many other countries. Travel outside of PA is not a right when you
are under probation or parole supervision. In fact, you must get permission
for your own protection. In some states, being there without a travel permit
can result in a new felony arrest. There are also states and local municipalities
that require you to report to the local police department before staying in
their communities. Canada is a frequent tourist or business trip for many,
or a stop on the way to Alaska. You are not permitted to enter Canada without
prior permission-this includes landing and transferring to another airplane
to another country. We have had clients arrested and detained in Canada, as
well as one truck driver's truck impounded. If you give your PO a reasonable
amount of time he/she may grant you a temporary/provisional travel permit where
possible, but travel outside of the Commonwealth of PA must be planned well
in advance and coordinated with your PO.
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Why
am I being charged Supervision Fees?
Act 1991-35 states a probation supervision fee of at least $35 per month
is to be imposed on all probation and/or parole sentences where the defendant
is placed under the supervision of the Bucks County Adult Probation Dept. There
are some exclusions that your PO can explain.
Please note that if you owe restitution and/or court costs, the
restitution is collected/paid first. Court Costs and Fines are to
be paid second. Your Supervision Fees are to be paid last.
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How can
I find out who my son's Probation officer is, and how can I contact
them?
Telephone the office nearest you and ask to speak to the officer who is supervising
your son's case. Although your son's files are confidential, the fact that
your son is on probation and who your son's probation officer is not confidential.
The same is true if you are a victim calling to find out the status of restitution
or other pertinent information.
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How do I report my change of address?
All address changes must be coordinated and approved by your Parole Officer in advance. Failure to report a change of address to your P.O. is a technical violation and could result in a warrant being issued for your arrest.
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What do I do if I have a warrant?
You have to report to the Justice Center Sheriff’s Office before 10:30 am Monday-Friday (excluding weekends & holidays). Bench Warrant hearings are held daily before an assigned Judge.
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What are the "rules and regulations" of probation?
Simply put they are the do's and don'ts of probation. They are the rules and if appropriate, special conditions that a client will be required to abide by In order to successfully complete supervision. Some examples are:
- I will report to my Probation/Parole Officer as directed and permit this officer to visit me at my home or place of employment.
- I will not own, use, or possess any type of lethal weapons. Click here to review the Rules and Regulations of General Supervision .
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If I am placed on probation/parole in Bucks County but want to reside in another county or state, will my case be transferred to that state?
As part of a probation/parole plan, an offender may desire to establish residence or return to his/her residence in another county within the Commonwealth or another State. Courtesy supervision shall be requested from the county in which the client desires to live. For those offenders desiring to live in another State, courtesy supervision shall be requested through a formal arrangement between States called the Interstate Compact. All offenders whose cases are transferred to another county or State for supervision should be informed that, although actual supervision of their case is transferred to another agency, jurisdiction of their case remains with Bucks County. All payments for court financial obligations, including restitution, are to be made to the Bucks County Clerk of Courts - Criminal Division. Be aware that any violations of probation or parole must ultimately be resolved by the Bucks County Court of Common Pleas.
It should be noted that conditions for transferring cases to other jurisdictions change regularly, that some jurisdictions will not allow certain offenders into their State, and that reporting requirements frequently change. In some States, certain offenders are not allowed to visit or live in their jurisdiction without permission, and being there without permission will result in a new offense.
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If my case is transferred from Bucks County to another county or state, where will I pay my court costs/fines and fees?
Restitution, court costs/fines and fees are paid to the Bucks County Clerk of Courts - Criminal Division.
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If my case is transferred to another county or state, will I have to pay administration fees to both Bucks County and the jurisdiction that my case is transferred to?
You will only be responsible to pay administrative fees to the jurisdiction in which your case is being supervised.
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If I am placed on probation/parole in another state, but live in Bucks County, will my supervision be transferred to Bucks County?
If you reside in Bucks County and are convicted in another state, your case may be transferred to the:
Pennsylvania Board of Probation/Parole
1101 S. Front St.
Harrisburg, PA 17104-2538,
717-787-5699, ext.315
Probation /Parole cases from states outside Pennsylvania are processed by and if appropriate, supervised by the Pennsylvania Board of Probation and Parole.
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