WELCOME TO THE PROBATION DEPARTMENT

Portrait of Chief Probation Officer Laura Garnette

Chief Probation Officer
Nicholas Birchard​​​

Santa Clara County Probation Department strives to promote comm​unity safety by implementing proven strategies which enhance and support: 

  • Positive change in our clients, families and neighborhoods.
  • Reparation of the harm caused by criminal behavior; and
  • Exemplary conditions of secure care.

Press Releases and Featured Stories

'I have a different lens': New Santa Clara County probation chief draws on East San Jose roots (mercurynews.com)

California looks to Santa Clara County model to stop incarceration of girls (mercurynews.com)

CalTrans and Santa Clara County Cooperative Agreement

This Agreement represents a unique opportunity to provide a new type of employment services to adult Probation Department clients, particularly those who face high barriers to employment after incarceration. Over a 3 year period, ~450 adult probationers will engage in paid transitional employment on Caltrans road work crews, while also participating in life skills education, job readiness training, job placement and job retention services.

Featured Topics & New Legislation

Voting Rights

In 2020, California voters approved Proposition 17, amending the state’s constitution to automatically restore voting rights upon release from prison. For more information visit: Voting Rights: Persons with a Criminal History :: California Secretary of State.

SB 823: Juvenile Justice Realignment – Closure of DJJ

SB 823 is an opportunity for local probation departments to create a local secure rehabilitation program for youth and young adults who would have previously been committed by the Court and housed at regional centers operated by the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, Division of Juvenile Justice (DJJ).

Commencing July 1, 2021, counties will no longer be able to send youth DJJ. In Santa Clara County, youth will now be committed by the Court to remain locally in a secure rehabilitation program operated by the Probation Department, in collaboration with the Behavioral Health Services Department.

These youth are committed to the new local program by the Court because the Court has determined that a less restrictive alternative placement is unsuitable for the youth.

To learn more about the Probation Department’s implementation of SB 823 by visiting our webpage: SB 823 (DJJ Realignment) - Probation Department - County of Santa Clara (sccgov.org).

JJCC Juvenile Realignment Subcommittee Agendas and Documents

Meetings of the Juvenile Justice Coordinating Council (JJCC) Juvenile Realignment Subcommittee are public and agendas can be accessed on the County of Santa Clara Meeting Portal. You can find documents here.

Juvenile Justice Realignment Block Grant Annual Plan

Under Senate Bill (SB) 823, to be eligible for Juvenile Justice Realignment Block Grant (JJRBG) funding, the County must submit the JJRBG Annual Plan to the State Office of Youth and Community Restoration (OYCR) by January 1, 2022. It is important to note that this is the initial iteration of the plan and amendments can be submitted to the OYCR, as needed. The JJRBG Annual Plan is due to the OYCR on May 1st annually and the JJCC Subcommittee will continue to meet to monitor the progress and implementation of the SYTF. Modifications and adjustments to the plan will be made as needed. You can read a copy of the approved JJRBG Annual Plan here, this plan was reviewed by the Board of Supervisors on November 16, 2021 and approved by the JJCC Juvenile Realignment Subcommittee on November 22, 2021

AB 1869

A recent California law, Assembly Bill 1869, prohibits counties from collecting fees from clients for most services provided by probation departments.

On May 25, 2021, the County of Santa Clara stopped collecting fees for the following Probation Department services:

  • Probation Supervision
  • Presentence Investigation and Presentence Reports
  • Pretrial Diversion Program
  • Parole Program
  • Electronic Monitoring Program

All outstanding balances for these fees have been deleted. If you have any questions or concerns about the fees you owe, please contact the Department of Tax and Collections, at:
[email protected] or (408) 326-1003.

Contact Us

Probation Administration Santa Clara County
2314 N. First St.
San Jose, CA 95131
Phone: (408) 435-2000
Fax: (408) 456-0527
Email:  [email protected]

©2023 County of Santa Clara. All rights reserved.