Adult Probation

Dallas County Adult Probation supervises people whom criminal courts have ordered to serve a sentence in the community rather than remain incarcerated. This article explains the role of the county’s Community Supervision and Corrections Department, common supervision requirements, reporting and payment procedures, office assignments, treatment services, specialty programs, transfer matters, and victim services. It also identifies the information probationers should have available when contacting the department or using its official online systems.

Adult Probation Department Role

The official name of the county agency responsible for adult probation is the Dallas County Community Supervision and Corrections Department, commonly shortened to CSCD. The department operates under the authority of the criminal court system and carries out supervision duties ordered by judges in felony and misdemeanor cases.

The department describes its responsibilities as protecting the public, enforcing court-ordered conditions, and providing rehabilitative services intended to support positive behavioral change. Dallas County CSCD supervises more than 40,800 people and employs community supervision officers, supervisors, clinical professionals, support staff, division managers, and administrators.

The central source for department information is the official Dallas County Community Supervision and Corrections page. It provides access to office locations, payment information, probationer forms, court services, specialty programs, victim services, and contact options.

Probation versus parole

Community supervision, often called probation, is supervised release within the community instead of incarceration in a jail or prison. A criminal court orders the supervision and establishes the conditions that the defendant must follow.

Parole is different. Parole involves supervision in the community after a person has been released early from prison. Dallas County CSCD handles adult community supervision ordered through the county’s criminal courts. A person seeking parole information should not assume that a county probation office manages the parole case.

Court authority and supervision

Community supervision officers monitor compliance, document progress, make referrals, communicate with treatment providers, and provide information to the supervising court. Officers may submit reports or recommendations, but the judge makes court decisions involving sanctions, modifications, revocation proceedings, and continued participation in specialty court programs.

A probation officer cannot change a court order simply because a probationer requests different reporting requirements, travel permission, payment terms, or treatment conditions. Requests that require judicial approval must be handled according to the instructions provided by the supervising officer or court.

Types of Community Supervision

The department’s court services information describes several forms of community supervision. The type assigned in a particular case depends on the court’s judgment and the circumstances of the criminal proceeding.

Regular supervision

Under regular community supervision, the defendant has been found guilty and a sentence has been established. The court suspends the imposition of that sentence and places the defendant under supervision. The probationer must follow the conditions contained in the court order for the designated term.

Deferred supervision

Under deferred community supervision, a defendant may enter a plea of guilty or no contest, but the judge refrains from entering a finding of guilt and places the defendant on deferred supervision. The legal consequences and available outcomes differ from regular supervision, so probationers should rely on their signed court documents and instructions from the court rather than assuming the two forms are interchangeable.

Other court-controlled arrangements

Dallas County also identifies shock probation and certain boot camp-related procedures among its court services. These arrangements involve judicial action following incarceration and are subject to specific court authority and timing rules. They are not standard options that a probationer can select through a field supervision office.

Reading the Court Order

The signed judgment and conditions of community supervision control what a probationer must do. General information on a county webpage cannot replace the terms entered by the judge. Two people supervised by the same office may have different reporting schedules, payment obligations, treatment requirements, travel restrictions, testing requirements, or community service assignments.

The county’s published standard conditions include requirements that may direct a probationer to:

Commit no new offense under state or federal law.
Avoid possessing a firearm during the supervision term.
Report to a community supervision officer at the appointed date and time.
Notify the officer before changing a home or employment address.
Maintain suitable employment or seek assistance when unemployed.
Remain within the approved supervising county unless written travel permission is obtained.
Pay court-ordered fees, fines, restitution, or other assessed costs.
Complete assigned community service through an approved project.
Attend required assessments, counseling, education, or treatment.
Submit to requested drug or alcohol testing.

Additional conditions can apply based on the offense, risk level, treatment needs, specialty court participation, electronic monitoring, alcohol monitoring, or other findings made by the court. A probationer should keep a complete copy of the signed conditions and review it before contacting the officer with a question.

Reporting to an Officer

Reporting frequency may be weekly, twice monthly, monthly, or another schedule established by the court and supervision department. The assigned officer should provide the reporting date, time, location, and any documents or verification that must be brought to the appointment.

Probationers should not assume that paying fees online counts as reporting. A payment transaction addresses only the financial obligation recorded in the payment system. It does not replace an in-person report, scheduled telephone contact, program appearance, assessment, drug test, court hearing, or other required activity.

Information to have ready

When reporting or contacting an office, having accurate identifying and case-related information reduces delays. Useful items may include:

Full legal name.
Date of birth.
Personal identification number, SPN, or SID when available.
Name of the assigned community supervision officer.
Assigned court or court number.
Current home address and telephone number.
Current employer and work address.
Payment receipt or confirmation number for a recent transaction.
Documents showing completion of treatment, classes, testing, or community service.

A booking identifier, payment identifier, court case number, and officer assignment are not necessarily the same record. Providing only a name may be insufficient when the department must distinguish between people with similar names or locate a particular supervision record.

Address and employment changes

The department’s published standard conditions state that a probationer may be required to notify the supervising officer at least 24 hours before changing a home or employment address. The exact requirement in the court order should be followed. Updating a mailing address with another government office does not automatically update the probation record.

Travel outside the county

Standard conditions may restrict a probationer to Dallas County or another approved supervising county. Travel outside the approved area may require written permission from the court or supervising officer. Verbal notice, a payment receipt, or a message left after departure should not be treated as written authorization.

Travel questions should be raised early enough for the officer to review the request and determine whether additional approval is required. A probationer should retain any written permission received and follow all dates, destinations, and limitations stated in it.

Fees and Online Payments

Dallas County accepts credit card payments for court-ordered monthly supervision fees through the official CSCD Pay system. The payment screen asks the user to enter identifying information, a date of birth, and the county receiving the payment.

Payment identifiers

The system directs users to enter a PID or SPN with a date of birth, or a SID with a date of birth. It is not presented as a general name-based case search. Before submitting a payment, the user should confirm that the selected county is Dallas County and that the identifying number belongs to the correct supervision account.

Entering a court cause number where the system requests a PID, SPN, or SID can prevent the payment account from being located. The number printed on a court document may serve a different purpose from the identifier used by the supervision payment system.

Other payment methods

The department states that money orders may be mailed to the probationer’s assigned Dallas County CSCD office. Because the payment must be credited to the correct person and account, the probationer should follow instructions received from the assigned officer concerning the payee, identifying information, mailing office, and acceptable documentation.

The county’s standard conditions also refer to money orders, cashier’s checks, and online credit card payments for supervision fees. A probationer should use only a method authorized for the particular obligation. Court costs, fines, supervision fees, treatment charges, restitution, and community service processing costs may be managed through different offices or payment arrangements.

Payment mistakes to avoid

Selecting the wrong county in the online payment system.
Using another person’s PID, SPN, or SID.
Assuming a pending card transaction has been credited to the supervision account.
Mailing a money order to an office other than the assigned CSCD office.
Failing to keep a receipt, confirmation page, or money order record.
Combining separate obligations without confirming how each payment will be applied.
Assuming payment excuses a missed appointment or reporting requirement.

A probationer who sees an unexpected balance should collect payment receipts and contact the assigned office. The supervision officer or appropriate department staff can identify the correct process for reviewing the account.

Probationer Forms and Guides

The county’s probationer resources page provides monthly report forms in English and Spanish, a probationer brochure, and a quick-reference resource guide.

A monthly report form should be completed according to the assigned officer’s directions. Access to a blank form does not establish that written reporting is permitted in place of an appointment. The officer determines how and when the report must be submitted.

Information entered on a report should be accurate and current, especially addresses, employment details, telephone numbers, and responses about compliance. A probationer should not omit a change because it was previously discussed informally. When documentation is requested, copies should be retained for personal records.

Choosing the Correct Office

Dallas County operates administration, court-based units, field supervision offices, assessment services, specialized caseload units, and treatment-related programs. The correct location depends on the assigned officer, court, program, and type of supervision.

The official adult probation locations directory separates satellite offices, felony and misdemeanor court units, specialty courts, assessment services, and specialized programs.

Field supervision offices

Primary field services are provided through offices located in different parts of Dallas County, including the Mockingbird, East, Garland, and South satellite offices. Assignments are based on department operations and supervision needs rather than which building happens to be closest to the probationer’s home.

A person should report to the office identified by the supervising officer. Arriving at another satellite office may not satisfy the reporting requirement because the assigned officer, appointment record, or specialized unit may be located elsewhere.

Felony and misdemeanor units

Felony and misdemeanor probation court offices operate at the Frank Crowley Criminal Courts Building. The county lists separate main numbers for felony probation and misdemeanor probation, along with individual court probation offices.

Knowing whether the case is assigned to a felony district court or a misdemeanor county criminal court can help direct an inquiry. The court number is especially useful because numerous criminal courts operate within the same building.

Specialized caseload offices

Some probationers report to units that supervise particular needs or risk categories. Dallas County identifies offices or programs involving high-risk caseloads, electronic monitoring, sex offender supervision, substance abuse felony punishment facility cases, transportation safety matters, transfers, dual diagnosis services, and judicial treatment.

A specialized assignment should not be changed by independently selecting a general field office. The probationer should follow the location and reporting instructions issued by the assigned unit.

Transfers and Other Jurisdictions

The Transfers Office handles matters involving supervision that may need to be coordinated with another jurisdiction. A move to another county or state does not automatically transfer supervision, and a probationer should not assume that permission to travel is the same as approval to relocate.

Transfer questions should be directed through the assigned community supervision officer and the Transfers Office. Until the department confirms a change, the probationer remains responsible for following the existing reporting schedule and location instructions.

When contacting the department about a transfer, the probationer should be prepared to provide the proposed address, current contact information, destination county or jurisdiction, employment information when applicable, assigned officer, court, and identifying number.

Assessment and Treatment Services

Assessment, Treatment, and Research Services, known as ATRS, provides substance use and mental health services within Dallas County CSCD. Its purpose is to assist individuals on community supervision with requirements that may support successful completion of probation.

The official ATRS program page describes pre-assessment screening, clinical assessment, crisis intervention, individual counseling, group counseling, consultation, and referrals for additional treatment.

Referral requirements

ATRS services require a referral from a Dallas County court or community supervision officer. A person cannot establish eligibility merely by appearing at the office or requesting a particular evaluation.

Initial screenings may include self-report questionnaires, questions about social history, substance use patterns, and mental health concerns, followed by a face-to-face interview. When further evaluation is indicated, staff schedule the appropriate assessment.

Available assessments

ATRS identifies several types of clinical work, including:

Drug and alcohol assessments.
Psychological assessments.
Dual diagnosis assessments addressing substance use and mental health conditions.
Lethality assessments and crisis intervention.
Case staffing and clinical consultation with courts and supervision staff.
Evaluations for people who are incarcerated before or after sentencing.

Assessment findings may be used to develop treatment recommendations and supervision strategies. The supervising court and probation staff use the information within their respective authority.

Counseling and treatment

ATRS counseling services include intensive outpatient groups, dual diagnosis groups, anger management groups, individual counseling, and some work involving families. Residential substance use treatment may be arranged through referrals when required.

A person referred by ATRS may apply for reduced or waived treatment costs by providing proof of indigence within the specified period. Eligibility for a cost adjustment depends on the assessment and referral process and the required financial documentation.

Specialty Court Programs

Dallas County CSCD supports specialty and problem-solving courts that combine judicial supervision, community supervision, case management, treatment, and rehabilitative services. The department’s programs and specialty courts page identifies programs serving populations with substance use, mental health, domestic violence, impaired-driving, reentry, and other supervision needs.

Community supervision officers assigned to these courts help participants understand probation conditions and treatment recommendations. Treatment providers may participate in court staffing and provide progress information. When sanctions or revocation issues arise, the officer may provide information or testimony, but the judge makes the final decision.

Program components

Specialty court programming may include:

Regular monitoring by a judge and treatment team.
Case management tied to a treatment plan.
Substance use, mental health, domestic violence, anger management, or psychological services.
Cognitive skills, life skills, and relapse-prevention work.
Family intervention or counseling when recommended.
Structured incentives, sanctions, and progress reviews.

Participation is tied to a court assignment or program decision. A probationer should not assume that a specialty court is available simply because its services appear relevant to the person’s situation.

Community Service Requirements

Community Service Restitution, commonly identified as CSR, may be included in the court’s supervision conditions. Dallas County reported that 6,971 defendants completed CSR work during fiscal year 2024, accounting for 489,100 service hours.

The standard conditions published by the county state that a defendant may be required to contact the Volunteer Center within 30 days after referral and complete assigned hours at a project approved by CSCD. They also identify a processing fee connected with the referral. The probationer’s own court order and referral instructions determine the required hours, deadline, project, and payment obligation.

Work performed for an organization that has not been approved should not be assumed to count toward the court-ordered total. Probationers should retain timesheets, completion letters, receipts, and other verification required by the officer.

Drug and Alcohol Monitoring

Court conditions may require random urine testing, medical testing, an ignition interlock device, portable breath alcohol monitoring, or transdermal alcohol monitoring. The type of monitoring and its duration depend on the court order and supervision instructions.

Dallas County publishes forms for interlock and alcohol-monitoring providers, but those forms are directed toward program administration and participating providers. A probationer should use the provider, equipment, reporting procedure, and installation schedule authorized for the case.

A missed test, diluted sample, equipment interruption, or provider problem should be reported according to the officer’s instructions. Contacting a monitoring company does not necessarily replace the obligation to notify the supervising officer.

Victim Services

Dallas County CSCD assists crime victims when the person responsible for the offense is being supervised by the department. The official Victim Services page explains available assistance and the limits on information that may be released.

Services include victim notification in assault-related cases, restitution assistance, advocacy, court accompaniment, help with crime victims’ compensation, referrals, victim impact panels, and explanations of the criminal justice process.

Information available to victims

Victim Services may disclose whether an offender is under supervision, whether restitution is current, whether a motion to revoke or adjudicate has been filed, whether a warrant has been issued, whether the person has been placed in a residential facility, and whether supervision has transferred to another jurisdiction.

The office cannot release an offender’s medical or psychological records, treatment information, home address, or workplace. These restrictions apply even when a victim has a legitimate interest in the case.

Common Probation Mistakes

Many supervision problems begin with confusion about which requirement, office, or record controls. The following mistakes can create avoidable delays or compliance concerns:

Relying on a general webpage instead of the signed court conditions.
Reporting to the closest office rather than the assigned office.
Using a court number where an online payment system requests a PID, SPN, or SID.
Assuming a fee payment replaces a required report or appointment.
Traveling before written permission has been issued.
Moving before completing the required transfer or address-change process.
Completing community service at a project that has not been approved.
Failing to retain receipts, attendance records, test results, or completion documents.
Contacting a court office when the question belongs to the assigned supervision officer.
Contacting adult probation about a parole or juvenile probation matter.

When instructions from different sources appear inconsistent, the probationer should contact the assigned officer and refer to the exact wording of the court order. Messages should include enough identifying information for staff to locate the correct record without disclosing unnecessary personal information to unrelated offices.

Adult Probation Offices

Dallas County Community Supervision and Corrections Department — 1300 W. Mockingbird Lane, 3rd Floor, Dallas, TX 75247 — (214) 653-5300

Mockingbird Satellite Office — 1300 W. Mockingbird Lane, 2nd Floor, Dallas, TX 75247 — (214) 583-6400

East Satellite Office — 8425 Forney Road, Dallas, TX 75227 — (214) 320-6700

Garland Satellite Office — 1065 S. Jupiter Road, Garland, TX 75042 — (214) 751-4430

Sex Offender Satellite Office — 1065 S. Jupiter Road, Garland, TX 75042 — (214) 751-4400

South Satellite Office — 2726 Coombs Creek, Dallas, TX 75211 — (214) 330-0383

Felony Probation — 133 N. Riverfront Boulevard, 9th Floor, Dallas, TX 75207 — (214) 653-5300

Misdemeanor Probation — 133 N. Riverfront Boulevard, 9th Floor, Dallas, TX 75207 — (214) 653-5370

Assessment, Treatment, and Research Services — 133 N. Riverfront Boulevard, 9th Floor, Dallas, TX 75207 — (214) 653-2862

Victim Services — 133 N. Riverfront Boulevard, 9th Floor, Dallas, TX 75207 — (214) 653-5330

Judge John C. Creuzot Judicial Treatment Center and Dual Diagnosis Center — 200 Greene Road, Lancaster, TX 75146 — (972) 441-6160

Adult Probation FAQs

Where can I find Spanish probation forms?

Dallas County provides monthly reporting forms in both English and Spanish through its official probationer resources page. The page also includes a probationer brochure and a quick-reference guide. Downloading a form does not automatically mean you may report by mail, email, or written form. Follow the submission method and deadline given by your assigned supervision officer. Dallas County also states that most clinical assessment services are available in English and Spanish.

How do I match my case to the right court unit?

Check your court paperwork for the full court name or number, then compare it with the county’s adult probation locations and court units. The directory separates felony courts, misdemeanor courts, specialty courts, satellite offices, assessment services, transfer services, and specialized caseloads. Do not rely only on the courthouse name because several probation units may operate in the same building.

Are all forms on the probation website for probationers?

No. Dallas County publishes some forms for treatment providers, monitoring companies, and program applicants rather than for people completing routine supervision requirements. Examples include interlock and alcohol-monitoring documents, sex-offender treatment provider forms, polygraph forms, and RASP provider materials. A probationer should not complete or submit one of these documents unless instructed by a supervision officer, court, or approved program representative.

Can I request a specialty court placement online?

Dallas County lists specialty courts for matters involving impaired driving, mental health, substance use, veterans, domestic violence, and intensive intervention. However, the programs are tied to judicial decisions, eligibility screening, and case-specific referrals. Reviewing the official specialty courts and programs page can explain available program types, but submitting a general inquiry does not enroll a person or change an existing supervision assignment.