Lisa W. Ewing, Director 863-534-4125 • Email
General Office: 863-534-4136 • Email
305 N. Jackson • Bartow, FL 33830 • Map
Hours of Operation: M-F 7AM - 5:30PM
County Probation provides the County Criminal Court a sentencing alternative to Incarceration. Staff monitors those placed on probation for criminal traffic and misdemeanor charges (i.e. petit theft, worthless check, DUI, domestic violence, etc.), and for felonies reduced to misdemeanors, in select cases. Referrals are made to alcohol, drug, and mental health treatment agencies, employment services, shoplifting counseling classes, and any other necessary resource. The offender is required to pay supervision fees, fines and restitution to victims, if applicable, and frequently must complete community services hours. The staff ensures that all ordered conditions are successfully completed or the offender is returned to court.
The Electronic Monitoring Program provides the Circuit Court Violation of Probation Judge a sentencing alternative to incarceration for jailed offenders awaiting placement in a residential substance abuse treatment program. Staff arranges for the release of the inmate from jail, and then monitors them via Global Positioning System technology. The offender's movements are restricted to home or work, unless given prior permission by the Electronic Monitoring Officer, or their Felony Probation Officer, to go elsewhere. The offender is required to pay supervision fees to defray the cost of the program, and must comply with all previously ordered felony probation conditions.
The DUI Drug Court Probation Program provides probation supervision of approximately 50 multiple offenders referred by the DUI Court Judge. The DUI Court program works to reduce DUI recidivism by using a coordinated approach including on-going judicial supervision, intensive community supervision, treatment, alcohol screening and community involvement. The probation officer supervises all standard conditions of probation, as well as those specific to the DUI Court offenders, and makes regular field visits, as well as participating in "bar sweeps" initiated by local law enforcement.