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1. How does my incarceration or being on probation effect my voting eligibility?

You can register to vote if you are:

o    A citizen of the United States of America;

o    A resident of California;

o    At least 18 years of age or older on or before election day;

o    Not currently in state or federal prison for the conviction of a felony; and

o    Not currently found mentally incompetent to vote by a court.

For more information please see Voting Rights for Californians with Criminal Convictions or Detained in Jail or Prison, California Secretary of State – Restore Your Vote, and Voting Rights: Persons Subject to Conservatorship on the California Secretary of State's website.

For Contra Costa specific information please visit the Contra Costa County Elections Division at:

https://www.cocovote.us/contact-information/

2. I was convicted of an offense and want to have it dismissed and/or reduced to a misdemeanor. How do I do this?

You may choose to contact an attorney or the Public Defender’s Office to represent you for Change of Plea proceedings. The following conditions apply for you to be eligible for a change of plea: 

1. You must not have any pending cases in any county or state. 
2. You must have completed probation and probation must have terminated either successfully or routinely. If your grant of probation was terminated as unsuccessful, you may not be granted relief. 
3. Cases which terminated in state prison sentences are not eligible. 
4. If you were originally charged with a misdemeanor, contact the court that handled your case. If you were originally charged with a felony, the Probation Department will handle your request. Multiple dockets may be researched at the same time.

• Please remember that all charges, convictions and sentences remain on your record, and will be noted to the court, should you be arrested in the future, regardless of the outcome of a 1203.4 PC (dismissal of conviction) or 17 PC (reduction of a felony to misdemeanor). The result of the courts decision will be added to your record.

3. I want to visit a youth in Juvenile Hall. How do I do that?

Minors are allowed two hours of visitation time per week.  Each hour must be completed on two separate visitation days; one weekday and one weekend day.  Only parents or legal guardians may visit.  

Guidelines: Only Parents or Guardians are allowed to visit. Proper identification, such as a valid California driver's license or identification, must be presented. All personal property must be left in vehicle. All visitors must pass through the metal detector, without alarm, prior to entering the facility. No food or drink allowed within the facility. Some minors are on Special Visit Status, requiring a visiting appointment. Special visits must be arranged in advanced by the parent or guardian by contacting 925-957-2725.

For more information about visiting hours and guidelines please visit: https://www.contracosta.ca.gov/680/John-A-Davis-Juvenile-Hall

4. How do I get my juvenile record sealed?

Information explaining the record seal process, as well as an application for sealing can be viewed and printed by clicking HERE.

5. My teenage child is beyond my control. She / he will not go to school, refuses to obey me, leaves and comes home whenever s/he pleases and refuses to tell me where s/he goes. Can probation help me?

The Probation Department is an arm of the court and an integral part of the criminal justice system. Children and adults are placed on probation by the court after a finding that they have committed a crime. In this scenario Probation would lack jurisdiction and be unable to provide direct services. However, Probation Officers routinely work with counselors, school officials and other professionals who do provide direct services to troubled families. Please call and ask to speak to the officer of the day if you would like to be referred to a local resource agency. 

• Antioch (East County): 925-431-1600
• Martinez (Central County): 925-313-4000
• Richmond (West County): 510-231-6500

6. My partner has threatened to hurt me and my family. What can I do?

Contact your local law enforcement if you or anyone in your family has been the victim of a crime or is in fear of their safety. 

You may also contact the Family Justice Center at: Concord: 925-521-6366 or Richmond: 510-974-7200. 

Many resources are available on line at www.cocofamilyjustice.org or https://www.crisis-center.org/talk-or-text-someone-now/.

If you are the victim of a person who is supervised by a Deputy Probation Officer (DPO). You can contact the Adult Division at 925-313-4000 and ask to speak to the assigned DPO or the Officer of the Day.