*NOTE:  Any questions regarding your driver’s license are best answered by Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (AKA:  PENNDOT) #1-800-932-4600 or on-line at:  www.dmv.state.pa.us

Q. How do I find the Adult Probation Office in the Government Center?
A. Click Here for Directions.

Q. When can I get my driver’s license back?
A. Before your Pennsylvania license can be returned to you,

1.Your suspension period must be completed
2.Your entire ACT 122 requirements must be completed and paid in full.

*NOTE:  Due to the new Statewide Criminal Case Management Payment System, the Adult Probation Office collects and receipts payments but the Clerk of Courts disperses the payments.  Therefore, when a payment is made, it cannot be directed as to where you would like it applied.  This in turn requires that all monies owed are required to be paid in full to receive a completion in your ACT 122 requirements and the return of your PA driver’s license.

Q. What are ACT 122 requirements?
A. ACT 122 of 1991 as passed by legislature, requires the following requirements must be completed before your Pennsylvania driver’s license can be returned to you. 

ACT 122 requirements are:                  

Court costs and fines must be paid in full

Any restitution owed must be paid in full

Any required schooling (Alcohol Highway Safety School) must be completed and the costs thereof paid in full

Any required treatment (Drug & Alcohol) must be completed and the costs thereof paid in full

*NOTE:  Once your requirements are completed, contact your Probation Officer to file your ACT 122. 

Q. How long after my ACT 122 is filed does it take to get my driver’s license back?
A. Once you have your Probation Officer file your ACT 122, it is then filed in the Prothonataries Office/Clerk of Courts who then files it with Penndot.  There is no exact time frame of this process, however, the courthouse staff strive to file these as quickly as possible.  Be aware, the ACT 122 must be filed through 3 separate offices therefore delays are possible.

*NOTE:  If it is imperative that you receive your driver’s license back on time after your suspension period, be sure to get your ACT 122 requirements met a few weeks before your suspension is complete.    

*NOTE:  Also, be advised that PENNDOT requires a $25.00 Restoration Fee be paid to receive your PA driver’s license back.  This can be sent in with your driver’s license to avoid another delay. 

Q. Does everyone have to do Litter Pick Up?
A. Anyone arrested for a DUI in Lawrence County, PA is required to do at least 4 hours of Litter Pick Up per DUI.  You are notified by mail of your scheduled Litter Pick Up date and given at least a two week notice.  Enclosed with your Litter Pick Up notice will be directions and instructions.  Litter Pick Up is a court ordered requirement and must be completed before the end of your supervision.  Failure to complete Litter Pick Up will result in your case being sent up to the District Attorney’s office for revocation and possible incarceration. 

If you are unable to perform Litter Pick Up:

a. Due to either physical or mental disabilities, bring documentation from your doctor and the Litter Pick Up requirement will be waived.  Also,

b. If you are 65 years of age or older, you will be excused from Litter Pick Up.

*NOTE:  The Courts/Probation Officers have the ability to impose community service hours for any offender they feel could benefit from this requirement or as a sanction of consequence. 

Q. What happens if I do not pay my total in full before I come off probation?
A. Not having your balance paid in full before the expiration of your probation period is a violation of the rules.  Therefore, as with violating any other rules/regulations of parole/probation, you are subject to have your sentence revoked and reinstated/resentenced to continue on probation until your balance is paid in full.  However, if not being paid in full is the only reason/violation for your revocation, then an agreement can be made to allow you to petition for early termination once you have paid your balance in full.

Q. Am I allowed to travel outside of Lawrence County without permission?
A. No.  However, you can get prior permission from your Probation Officer.  If you are going somewhere for an overnight stay or longer, you need to complete a Travel Permit, which are available at the Adult Probation Office.  A Travel Permit is a permission slip you are told to take along with you on your approved leaves.  If you work, go to school or have appointments in another county whereas you would be returning in the same day, it is not necessary to seek prior permission.  However, it is always best to keep your Probation Officer advised.  When in doubt, always ask first. 

Once you complete the Travel Permit, your Probation Officer and a Supervisor signs their approval along with any special instructions you are to follow and the date of your next report to the Adult Probation Office. 

Questions on a Travel Permit:

a. Your name, address, date, current offense

b. Person/place to be visited with an address & phone number where you can be reached

c. Purpose of your travel

d. Leave and return dates requested

e. Method of travel, if automobile also need year/make/model

f.  Names of anyone accompanying you

Q. Can I go into a restaurant that serves alcohol?
A. If you have the Alcohol Clause placed on you as a rule of your parole/probation, then you are only permitted in a restaurant that serves alcohol if you are:

a. Dining in the restaurant side (meaning not the bar/lounge area)

b. No one at your table can be consuming alcoholic beverages

c. Prior permission from your Probation Officer

The Alcohol Clause is a rule of parole/probation that states you are not permitted to consume, purchase, transport or possess any alcoholic beverages.  Further, you are not permitted to enter any establishment that serves or sells alcoholic beverages unless authorized by staff.

*NOTE:  All persons on supervision are under the alcohol clause until it is removed by your officer.  If you are on supervision for a non-alcohol related offense and/or you have not been referred to Drug and Alcohol for an assessment, consult with your Probation Officer about removing the Alcohol Clause.

Q. What is IPP?
A. Intermediate Punishment Program (AKA:  IPP), is a division of the Lawrence County Adult Probation Department.  IPP is differentiated from probation by its design as a more restrictive sentencing alternative.  IPP will target higher risk populations than does “traditional” probation.  IPP sentences include:          

a. Intensive supervision

b. Residential inpatient drug and alcohol treatment and outpatient treatment

c.  House arrest with electronic monitoring

In addition, IPP will include special conditions that address public safety concerns.  IPP will utilize existing programs in a more restrictive and structured manner while providing intensive supervision and immediate sanctions for violators.

Q. Can I get a special driver’s license for work even though mine is under suspension?
A. “Occupational Limited Licenses” are permitted for all first convictions, provided the offender first serves a 60 day license suspension.  Occupational Limited License are permitted for some second offenders of they have served 12 months of their 18 month license suspension.  These drivers can only operate an ignition interlock vehicle.  However, the time the driver has an Occupational Limited License with an ignition interlock does not count towards any one year mandatory period of ignition interlock.  (Effective 2/1/04)  Certain restrictions do apply.  For more information contact PENNDOT.

Q. Can I report by phone?
A. Only if your Probation Officer permits it.  Under Rule #1 of the Conditions Governing Supervision, you are instructed that you will report as required in person, by telephone or in writing to your officer according to his/her instructions.  Therefore, you must report as you are instructed by your officer.

Q. How are monthly payment plans determined?
A. We take the number of months you are on parole/probation and divide it by the total you owe.  Therefore, if you are not keeping up with the determined monthly amount, you will owe more money for the remaining months then you would need to adjust your monthly payments accordingly.

Q. What should I do if I miss a scheduled report to the Adult Probation Office?
A. Under the Instructions For Reporting To The Adult Probation Office, you are informed that the only acceptable reasons for missing a required visit to the Adult Probation Office would be a medical emergency or a death in your immediate family.  A medical emergency must be documented and specifically state that you were UNABLE TO REPORT TO THE ADULT PROBATION OFFICE and include date when you will be able to report next.  If the excuse does not have this written on it, it is not acceptable.  For a death in your immediate family, a copy of the obituary must be submitted to your officer.  Also, contact your Probation Officer immediately.

As for if you reported on a day when the office was closed, you are required to report the very next work day unless otherwise instructed by your Probation Officer.  It is your responsibility to know the courthouse holidays. 

As for if you missed a report for any other reason, you are required to report the very next work day as well.  Do not wait until your next scheduled report day to report in.  Also, contact you Probation Officer immediately.   

Q. Can Officers from Lawrence County Adult Probation enter my home and search through my belongings without a warrant?
A. Yes.  Under the Conditions Governing Supervision, it advises you that you consent to the search of your person, property and place of residence without a warrant by officers of the Adult Probation and Parole Department of Lawrence County.  Any items present which constitutes a violation of your supervision shall be subject to seizure and may be used as evidence in the revocation process.

Q. Why has the total on my receipt gone up since I made my last payment?
A. There may be several explanations for a rise in your amount owed:

a. As you are being drug tested, the costs of the tests are added onto your balance owed.

b.  If part of your sentence has another sentence to follow, the supervision fees are not entered on the consecutive sentence until you start to serve that sentence.

c.  There may be a delay with the Clerk of Courts entering costs.

d.  The Sheriff’s Office may add costs for any transportations.

e.  There may have been a delay with entering any Restitution Fees.

f.    If you owe money on any old cases, the amounts may have not been transferred over to the new payment system.

*NOTE:  In any situation, do not hesitate to ask any Adult Probation staff member for assistance with any questions or concerns.

Q. What exactly is the $1.00 Bond?
A. A dollar bond acknowledges that if you are arrested in another state, you will waive extradition and you will not resist being returned by the Court of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and Lawrence County.  This is signed at the time your parole/probation rules are read.