FAQs - Probation

The U.S. Probation and Pretrial Services Office thrives on professionalism and hold its officers to the highest of ethical standards, as noted within our Judiciary Code of Conduct. If your experience is to the contrary, we would like to hear from you. Please direct all complaints of unethical behavior by U.S. Probation Officers and/or other employees to the Deputy Chief, by contacting our main office at 612-664-5400. You may also submit your complaint, in writing, to the following email address: mnp_complaints@mnp.uscourts.gov. All complaints will be reviewed and addressed accordingly.

Probation

Q: I am an employer and I want to know if a prospective employee has been convicted of a crime, can you run a background check?

Answer

The U.S. Probation Office is restricted from disclosing information to the public. However, most convictions are generally available in public records. These records are maintained by the U.S. District Court Clerk.

Q: What are the standard conditions of probation the court must impose?

Answer

Individuals on supervision are required by the Court to abide by certain rules. These rules are called the conditions of supervision. They are basically the same whether the person is on probation, parole, military parole, mandatory release, or supervised release.

For a list of conditions, see the the standard conditions of probation.

Q: I know of a family member who is on Federal probation/supervised release, can you tell me what crime they committed?

Answer

The U.S. Probation Office is restricted from disclosing information to the public, which includes family members. However, most convictions can be found in public records. These public records are maintained by the U.S. District Court Clerk.

Q: What is the procedure for the drug testing program also known as Code-A-Phone Answering Service?

Answer

Code-A-Phone is a random urinalysis system that requires participants to call the hotline on a daily basis, listen for a designated number and report to the required location on the specified day for submission. You are to remember your designated number to ensure you report on the proper day.

The drug test line phone number is 651-848-1274.

Q: I am on probation/supervised release. Am I allowed to leave the state?

Answer

The District of Minnesota is comprised of the whole state of Minnesota. Travel throughout the state of Minnesota is permitted. However, all travel outside of the District of Minnesota needs to be preapproved by the Court or the U.S. Probation Officer. Failure to get permission to travel outside the state may result in violation of your supervision.

Q: I have a family member/friend who is scheduled to be released from prison. They were convicted in federal court in another district or state but want to reside in the District of Minnesota. How can his/her case be transferred?

Answer

The offender must request transfer of jurisdiction through his/her Bureau of Prisons Case Manager. When the request is made by the case manager, the U.S. Probation Office will conduct an investigation to determine whether the offender may transfer and report its findings to the Bureau of Prisons. The transfer of jurisdiction may only occur with approval from the district that would receive and supervise the offender.

Q: I have been released from federal prison, how soon do I have to report for supervision?

Answer

Once released from custody, you are required to report to your assigned Probation Officer within 72 hours of release, which includes weekends and holidays. Please call (612) 664-5400 between 8:00 AM and 5:00 PM, for instructions on where to report. If you have been convicted in another district, please contact the U.S. Probation Office in the district in which you have been convicted.

Failure to report will constitute grounds for a violation of supervised release.

Q: How can I have my probation/supervised release terminated early?

Answer

You are eligible to request early termination from probation or supervised release under the following circumstances:

After you have completed at least one year of supervision;
After you have completed one half of your term of supervision, you can request early termination through your U.S. Probation Officer;
Please contact your probation officer for instructions on how to request early termination.

If you have been convicted of a serious felony and/or have a history of violence, your case will not be considered for early termination.

United States Probation and Pretrial Services

District of Minnesota

Darren F. Kerns, Acting Chief U.S. Probation Officer

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FAQs - Probation

Probation