Frequently Asked Questions

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1. Can I find out who is on probation?

Due to regulations regarding confidentiality, the public is unable to access this information. The Probation Department can accept information from the public to assist in supervising cases and effectively protecting the community. Crime victims are advised when a violation of probation occurs.

2. Do I have a warrant?

The Humboldt County Sheriff's Office can be contacted to find out if you have an active warrant for your arrest. Warrant information can be obtained over the phone at 707-445-7251, Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to Noon and 1 to 4:30 p.m., or at the main counter at the Sheriff's Department located at
826 4th St.
Eureka, CA 95501.

3. Where is Juvenile Delinquency Court held, and when?

Currently, most Juvenile Delinquency Court cases are heard in the Northern California Regional Facility conference room beginning at 1:30 p.m., Monday through Thursday. The Regional Facility conference room is located behind Humboldt County Probation Department at 2002 Harrison Avenue in Eureka.

When arriving for court, please be prepared to wait until your case is called. It is possible this wait may extend into the later morning hours. There is seating and bathroom facilities in the Regional Facility lobby. You must be present at the time your case is called. It is also possible that after an appearance before the court you will be directed to see a probation officer at the main Probation Department, located in front of the Regional Facility.

Juvenile Delinquency Court cases that are calendared for 8:30 a.m. are held on the 2nd floor of the Courthouse, located at
825 5th St.
Eureka, CA 95501.

4. Can I get a copy of a probation report?

The release of probation records is covered under the confidentiality provisions of Penal Code Section 1203.05 and Welfare and Institutions Code Section 827 (California Law ).

Adult matters: Generally, reports in adult matters may be inspected or copied by any person for a period of 60 days from the date judgment is pronounced or probation is granted, or from the date of any subsequent accusatory pleading being filed. The court may also order or authorize persons who have petitioned the court for copies after this 60 day period. For persons not on probation, copies may be obtained from the Clerk of the Court located at the county courthouse. Probationers may request to review reports concerning themselves at any time and may obtain copies from their probation officer upon request.

Juvenile matters: Juvenile reports may be inspected by the minor who is the subject of the proceeding and the minor's parents/guardian, as well as agencies stipulated by law or other persons specifically authorized by the juvenile court judge. Copies of reports may be requested from the juvenile's attorney. Otherwise, these reports are not open or available to the general public without the filing of a petition and approval of the juvenile court.

5. What is the difference between adult formal supervised probation and "court probation"?

Court probation, or summary probation, is granted for most misdemeanors and some felony law violations. These cases are not supervised by the Probation Department. Any violations of summary probation are filed by the District Attorney's office.

Formal supervised probation is granted most often for felony law violations. These cases are supervised by the Probation Department, with a probation officer assigned to monitor the offender in the community and advise the court of any violations of probation.

6. How can I get an early termination from probation?

If you are on adult probation and you want to be terminated from probation early you must have completed all requirements of probation such as treatment programs and community service work, have all fines, fees, and restitution paid in full and not have any negative law enforcement contact for a period of 1 year. If you meet the above requirement you will need to contact your attorney and have a court hearing scheduled. The court will determine at the hearing whether or not you will get terminated from probation early.

If you are on juvenile probation you will not have a set probation term. However, to expedite termination of probation you will need to complete all requirements of probation, and pay all fines and restitution in full.

7. What are my rights to possess firearms if I'm on probation?

Persons on probation for any felony or specified violent misdemeanors or persons who have a specific weapons restriction as a condition of probation, may not possess or have under their custody and control any firearm whatsoever (See PC 29800-29825, 29900 and WI 8100, 8103 for details.California Law). .

Once the probation term has been successfully completed, certain actions must be taken to restore one's right to possess a firearm:

• Petition the court pursuant to Penal Code Section 1203.4 (California Law) and be granted a change of plea and dismissal of conviction;
• Petition the court for a certificate of rehabilitation, and get approved;
• Petition the Governor and receive a full and unconditional pardon;
• Petition the Federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms for restoration of firearms rights, and get approved.

8. What can I do with an out-of-control teen?

You are not alone! Many parents struggle with the challenges of raising teenagers. Here are some ideas of people and services you can access to assist your teen through these difficult years.

9. What is the difference between adult probation, adult parole, and Post Release Community Supervision?

County probation is a sentence ordered by a superior court judge usually instead of, but sometimes in addition to, serving time in local jail. It allows the convicted person to live in their community, sometimes under the supervision of a county probation officer, for a specified period of time. Depending upon the circumstances and the seriousness of the crime, the typical probation term lasts from 1-5 years, but may be longer. Violation of probation terms, or commission of a new law violation while on probation, can result in local jail time or a commitment to state prison

State Parole is a conditional release of a prison inmate after serving all or part of a prison sentence. To be eligible for parole, an inmate must have been committed to prison for a serious or violent offense, been determined to be a high risk sex offender, or be a 2 strike offender. Parole is managed by the State Department of Corrections.

Post Release Community Supervision (PRCS) is a conditional release of a prison inmate after serving all or part of a prison sentence. Inmates who do not meet the criteria for State Parole are placed under the supervision of a County Agency. In Humboldt County, that agency is the Humboldt County Probation Department.

10. How do I get my adult record expunged, get a certificate of rehabilitation, and a pardon?

Learn how you can get your adult record expunged, get a certificate of rehabilitation, and a pardon.

11. How do I get my juvenile records sealed?

Juvenile records aren't sealed automatically, they must be ordered sealed by the juvenile court. To begin the process, contact the Probation Department to request a Juvenile Record Sealing packet. Once the packet is returned to Probation, a probation officer will interview you, conduct an investigation, and provide a report to the court recommending whether or not your record should be sealed. You will be notified by the Probation Department of the date and time of the court hearing. There is $150 non-refundable application fee for record sealing due at the time the packet is returned to the Probation Department (a fee waiver may be granted by the court depending upon your financial situation).

If the court orders your records sealed, a copy of the order will be sent to all agencies named in the order instructing them to seal their records. The agencies will notify the court of compliance and when all agencies report they have complied with the order, the records are considered sealed.

If the court does not order your records sealed, you can complete another Juvenile Record Sealing packet at a later date.

You must go through this process for each county in which you have a record.

12. When can my child come home from Juvenile Hall?

If your child is detained in the Humboldt County Juvenile Hall, he/she will appear before the juvenile court for a detention hearing. During the hearing, the judge will determine if your child needs to remain detained or if he/she can be released. If the court determines your child may be released, the court can order your child released outright or the court can authorize the release at the discretion of the probation officer. If your child is authorized to be released at the discretion of the probation officer, the probation officer will review the case and you will be notified if/when your child is to be released.

If your child is to be released on home supervision, with or without the electronic monitor, your child will need to remain at home at all times unless at school or prior approval has been given by the home supervision officer. To expedite your child's release on the electronic monitor, all accessory telephone services such as caller ID, call forwarding, call waiting, answering machine, computer modem, and/or fax machine will need to be removed from your telephone line.

13. Can I vote while on parole, probation, post release community supervision (PRCS) or mandatory supervision?

Yes, In California, you have the right to vote while you are on parole, probation, PRCS, or mandatory supervision. You must be a United States citizen, a resident of California, and at least 18 years of age. To vote in the next election, you must register to vote at least 15 days before the election.
For more information, contact the Humboldt County Office of Elections and Voter Registration at

2426 6th Street

Eureka, CA 95501

Ph: 707-445-7481

More Info: California Secretary of State: Voting Rights for Californians with Criminal Convictions or Detained in Jail or Prison

Sec of State's Voting Rights-Incarcerated Persons