Question 1

How long will I be required to remain in the program?

Accepted Answer

The length of your program is established by Prosecuting Attorney based upon the program’s written guidelines. One can expect programs to range from 90 days to 12 months in length.

Question 2

Is there a possibility of being released from the program earlier than the end of the term of the order if I complete all of the conditions required?

Accepted Answer

Early terminations are approved and established by the Prosecuting Attorney as a part of their written guidelines. The possibility of early termination will be made clear as a part of the program order.

Question 3

How often will the pretrial supervisor require me to report?

Accepted Answer

The frequency of reporting may be established by the Prosecuting Attorney. However, most participants report in-person once per month.

Question 4

What if something happens and I miss an appointment with my supervisor?

Accepted Answer

Reporting as directed is critical to the successful completion of your program. However, it is best to notify your supervisor in advance, if at all possible barring emergency circumstances, of any missed appointment. If you are unable to reach the supervisor prior to missing the appointment, you should contact them immediately afterwards and make arrangements to reschedule. There are circumstances where a missed appointment may result in a request to have you removed from the program, so it is critical that you make reporting your highest priority.

Question 5

Will I be required to pay a fine?

Accepted Answer

What are typically referred to as fines are referred to as program fees in Intervention and Diversion Programs, as the fees are the source of administrating the program. Program fees are determined by the Prosecuting Attorney and may not exceed $1,000.

Question 6

If I don’t have all of the money at the time I’m placed in the program, what do I do?

Accepted Answer

You will be allowed to make monthly payments during the term of the program. Exactly how much time you will be allowed in which to pay is subject to written guidelines of the program. It is important to note that you must report as instructed regardless of whether you are able to present your full monthly payment at each visit or not. Technical non-compliance matters may be resolved through administrative hearings as long as the program participants reports as directed and maintain communication with their supervisor.

Question 7

Will I have to submit to alcohol and drug testing while in the program?

Accepted Answer

All program conditions are established by the Prosecuting Attorney. If you are required to submit to alcohol and/or drug testing, you will be responsible for the cost of the tests. The frequency of screening is established as a part of the program’s written rules.

Question 8

What happens if I fail an alcohol or drug test?

Accepted Answer

Failure to avoid alcohol or other substances, both legal and illegal as ordered, may result in your removal from the program at the discretion of the Prosecuting Attorney.

Question 9

What about other conditions? How long do I have to complete them and do I have to pay for them?

Accepted Answer

All conditions are ordered by the Prosecuting Attorney. The amount of time you are afforded to complete conditions will be explained clearly to you by your supervisor in keeping with the written rules of the program. The program participant is required to pay for any costs associated with program conditions. Your supervisor will assist you with providing you information on how to access all approved program providers.

Question 10

If I successfully complete the program, will I have a conviction on my permanent criminal history?

Accepted Answer

The objective of Intervention and Diversion Programs is to aid persons with no or minimal prior criminal convictions avoid a lifetime conviction. Assuming that you complete all conditions, the case against you will be dismissed and there will be no conviction entered.

Question 11

What happens if I fail to complete all of the conditions in time or if I am arrested for another offense while I’m in the program?

Accepted Answer

Technical violations and/or any new arrests or convictions may result in your removal from the program by the Prosecuting Attorney. You could be subject to all of the same penalties that existed prior to your entry into the program.

Question 12

What if I was arrested? Will anyone be able to find out about that when I apply for jobs in the future?

Accepted Answer

The Prosecuting Attorney will state on the order whether or not you are eligible to have your arrest expunged (O.C.G.A. § 35-3-37(d) – arrest prior to July 1, 2013) or restricted (O.C.G.A. § 35-3-27(h) – arrest on or after July 1, 2013). If you are allowed either form of arrest restriction, your supervisor will provide you with specific information on how to begin the process upon completion of your program.

Question 13

What happens to my bond if I posted one?

Accepted Answer

If you posted a bond, it will be returned to you or the surety after you complete the program. If you hired a bonding company to post your bond, you will most likely not receive a refund.

Question 14

What is the process for filing a complaint if I cannot satisfactorily resolve an issue with my pretrial officer?

Accepted Answer

Our goal is to help you satisfactorily complete your term of pretrial supervision. If you are having an issue that you cannot resolve satisfactorily, you should ask to speak with the supervisor of the office where you are reporting. You will be asked to complete a very short form that details the nature of your problem and the resolution that you would like to see implemented. The local supervisor will review your complaint and speak with you personally. Please understand that due to schedules it may take up to 72 hours to process your request and speak with you personally. If you still feel that your complaint has not been properly addressed, you may then send an email to info@secorrections.com . Your complaint will be reviewed by a company executive who will speak with you personally as soon as practically possible; typically, within 72 hours.

Question 15

How long will I be required to remain on probation?

Accepted Answer

The length of your sentence is established by the Court. Most misdemeanor offenses in Georgia provide for a maximum penalty of 12 months in confinement, with a fine not greater than $1,000. There are some high and aggravated misdemeanors that provide for greater penalties. If you are sentenced to probation for numerous offenses, the Court has the discretion to order sentences to run consecutively, or after one another, increasing the length of probation supervision beyond 12 months.

Question 16

Is there a possibility of being released from probation earlier than the end of the term of the order if I complete all of the conditions required?

Accepted Answer

Early terminations are approved and ordered by the Court. The possibility of early termination will be made clear as a part of the probation order and explained to you fully by your probation officer.

Question 17

How often will the probation officer require me to report?

Accepted Answer

The frequency of reporting may be established by the Court and/or your probation officer. However, most probationers report in-person, once per month. Telephone reporting is permissible with the approval of the Court when travel, medical or other circumstances exist.

Question 18

What if something happens and I miss an appointment with my probation officer?

Accepted Answer

Reporting as directed is critical to the successful completion of your probation. However, it is best to notify your probation officer in advance, if at all possible barring emergency circumstances, of any missed appointment. If you are unable to reach the probation officer prior to missing the appointment, you should contact them immediately afterwards and make arrangements to reschedule. There are circumstances where a missed appointment may result in a request for a warrant for your arrest by the probation officer, so it is critical that you make reporting your highest priority.

Question 19

Will I be required to pay a fine?

Accepted Answer

You may or may not be required to pay a fine. The Court will determine any fine amount and make it a part of the order of probation. In addition to base fines, there are a number of State-required surcharge fund obligations in addition to the base fine. The probation officer will explain the total, including surcharges to you.

Question 20

What forms of payment do you accept?

Accepted Answer

We request that all payments be made in the form of a money order. There is little, if any, cash on hand at the probation office for security reasons. You may keep your money order stub for future reference, in addition to the printed receipt you will receive at the payment window. There is a credit card payment option available and instructions are provided on our website under Online Payments .

Question 21

If I don’t have all of the money at the time I’m placed on probation, what do I do?

Accepted Answer

You will be allowed to make monthly payments during the term of the probation. Exactly how much time you will be allowed in which to pay is subject to policy established by the Court. It is important to note that you must report as instructed regardless of whether you are able to present your full monthly payment at each visit or not. Technical non-compliance matters may be resolved through administrative hearings as long as the probationer reports as directed and maintain communication with their probation officer.

Question 22

Will I have to submit to alcohol and drug testing while in the program?

Accepted Answer

All probation conditions are established by the Court. If you are required to submit to alcohol and/or drug testing, you will be responsible for the cost of the tests. The frequency of screening is clearly communicated between the Court, probation officer and probationer. Testing is generally random, but can be required on demand. Penalties for failed drug tests vary.

Question 23

What happens if I fail an alcohol or drug test?

Accepted Answer

The use of alcohol and/or other substances, both legal and illegal as ordered, may result in a modification or revocation of your order of probation. The Court has a number of options at its disposal, ranging from required evaluations and treatment, to revocation of your sentence to be served in confinement for technical violations of your probation.

Question 24

What about other conditions? How long do I have to complete them and do I have to pay for them?

Accepted Answer

All conditions are ordered by the Court. The amount of time you are afforded to complete conditions will be explained clearly to you by your probation officer in keeping with Court policy and certain State-required time constraints. The probationer is required to pay for any costs associated with probation conditions. Your probation officer will assist you in providing you information on how to access all approved program providers.

Question 25

If I successfully complete probation, will I have a conviction on my permanent criminal history?

Accepted Answer

Unless you are granted First Offender or Conditional Discharge status at the time of your sentencing, your conviction will remain on your permanent criminal history. There may be remedies after the time of sentencing, but it would most likely require the assistance of counsel to modify the status of your plea of guilty.

Question 26

What happens if I fail to complete all of the conditions in time or if I am arrested for another offense while I’m in the probation?

Accepted Answer

Technical violations and/or any new arrests or convictions may result in the modification or revocation of your probation. Probation violations are a serious matter. The maximum penalty you face for any violation of probation is the service of your remaining time on probation in confinement.

Question 27

What if I was arrested? Will anyone be able to find out about that when I apply for jobs in the future?

Accepted Answer

The Court will state on the order of probation whether or not you are eligible to have your arrest expunged (O.C.G.A. § 35-3-37(d) – arrest prior to July 1, 2013) or restricted (O.C.G.A. § 35-3-27(h) – arrest on or after July 1, 2013). If you are allowed either form of arrest restriction, your probation officer will provide you with specific information on how to begin the process upon completion of your probation.

Question 28

What is the process for filing a complaint if I cannot satisfactorily resolve an issue with my probation officer?

Accepted Answer

Our goal is to help you satisfactorily complete your term of probation. If you are having an issue that you cannot resolve satisfactorily, you should ask to speak with the supervisor of the office where you are reporting. You will be asked to complete a very short form that details the nature of your problem and the resolution that you would like to see implemented. The local supervisor will review your complaint and speak with you personally. Please understand that due to schedules it may take up to 72 hours to process your request and speak with you personally. If you still feel that your complaint has not been properly addressed, you may then send an email to info@secorrections.com . Your complaint will be reviewed by a company executive who will speak with you personally as soon as practically possible; typically, within 72 hours.

Frequently asked questions.

How long will I be required to remain on probation?

Is there a possibility of being released from probation earlier than the end of the term of the order if I complete all of the conditions required?

How often will the probation officer require me to report?

What if something happens and I miss an appointment with my probation officer?

Will I be required to pay a fine?

What forms of payment do you accept?

If I don’t have all of the money at the time I’m placed on probation, what do I do?

Will I have to submit to alcohol and drug testing while in the program?

What happens if I fail an alcohol or drug test?

What about other conditions? How long do I have to complete them and do I have to pay for them?

If I successfully complete probation, will I have a conviction on my permanent criminal history?

What happens if I fail to complete all of the conditions in time or if I am arrested for another offense while I’m in the probation?

What if I was arrested? Will anyone be able to find out about that when I apply for jobs in the future?

What is the process for filing a complaint if I cannot satisfactorily resolve an issue with my probation officer?