Adult Probation Department

The Ottawa County Common Pleas Court Adult Probation Department is located on the 3rd Floor of the Courthouse in Room 304.

The role of the Probation Department is to supervise Offenders placed on Community Control/Probation, Intervention In Lieu of Conviction, Judicial Release, and the Specialized Dockets Programs. The Department is responsible for upholding community standards of safety and protecting the public, along with rehabilitating Offenders. Probationers are referred to services with local agencies to assist with substance abuse treatment, mental health issues, physical health care, group recovery support and other support systems, housing needs, vocational services, educational needs, parenting and family concerns, financial resources, crisis resolution, and recreational involvement.

All Probation Officers also serve as Bailiffs of the Court, conduct drug and alcohol testing services, and complete Pre-Sentence Investigations and Reports.

Chief Probation Officer: Andrea Cochran

Andrea Cochran earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice from the Tiffin University. Prior to working with the Court, Andrea worked with the Ottawa County Sheriff’s Office in both the corrections and administrative division.

Andrea accepted began working for the Court in 2018 and accepted the position of Chief Probation Officer in 2021. As Chief Probation Officer, she is responsible for the operation of the Adult Probation Department, which supervises individuals on Bond, Diversion, Intervention in Lieu of Conviction, Probation, Intensive Probation Supervision, Drug Court, Mental Health Court, and Veteran’s Court. In addition, the Adult Probation Department is responsible for preparing Pre-Sentence Investigation Reports and Reports for the Court regarding Motions for Judicial Release and Motions to Seal Records.

Andrea can be reached by email at acochran@co.ottawa.oh.us

Drug Testing

The Adult Probation Department utilizes innovative technologies and programs to assist in the supervision of Probationers. These include ensuring community service completion, utilizing electronic monitoring devices, and case planning with each Probationer.

Following each test, Offenders and Defendants will be informed if the result of the test was positive or negative. Positive tests will be sent to an independent lab for verification. The cost associated with each test is $6.00. For each positive result, an addition $10.00 is charged per substance for lab verification. All costs will be added to a Probationer’s or Defendant’s Court costs.

All Probationers and Defendants with pending criminal cases are subject to drug and alcohol testing. The Drug and Alcohol Testing Policy is signed by Defendant and provides additional information and instructions. The testing line can be reached at 419-734-6893.

Pretrial Services and Sentencing

Prior to sentencing, Defendants are supervised using bond services and monitoring, and are subject to a Pre-Sentence Investigation.

Bond Services and Monitoring

All Defendants are subject to a recommendation from a Bond Commissioner. Defendants are given standard conditions of bond, which include a curfew and random drug testing. Special conditions may be added to include GPS or SCRAM monitoring, no contact with a victim or Co-Defendant, no driving, surrendering of passport, daily reporting, and medication compliance. Bond monitoring involves the daily, weekly, or monthly reporting of Defendants released on bond.

Presentence Investigations

Overview

Once a Defendant enters a plea of guilty to a felony offense or is convicted at trial, a Pre-Sentence Investigation is ordered and conducted by the Probation Department. The ORAS (Ohio Risk Assessment) tool is also used to determine an Offender’s risk to reoffend, as well needs, in order to assist the Offender in changing behavior.

Process

Defendants will first be asked to complete paperwork and return it to the Probation Department. Next, the Offender is interviewed and information is gathered on the Defendant’s criminal history, education, employment, financial situation, family and social support, neighborhood, substance use, peers, and attitudes toward the crime committed. Finally, all information in the report is verified and relevant information from a variety of parties, including law enforcement and other probation departments, the victims, family and friends of the Defendant, medical and mental health and addiction treatment providers, and employers is obtained. In addition, reports are collected from various sources, including school reports, financial reports, and criminal background data.

A Pre-Sentence Report is prepared for the Court utilizing this information and provides a sentencing recommendation. This report enables the Court to ensure a just sentencing and that the public is protected. Pre-Sentence Reports are confidential documents.

Diversion

The Prosecutor’s Office oversees the Diversion Program of the Court. They can be contacted at 419-734-6845 for additional information, or by the website.

Intervention in Lieu of Conviction

Intervention in Lieu of Conviction (IILC) is utilized when the drug and/or alcohol usage by the Defendant was a factor of the criminal offenses that the Defendant has been charged with. It is also available to Defendants, who at the time of committing that offense, had a mental illness or were a person with intellectual disability. Defendants must be motivated to participate in and want treatment. In addition, the following conditions must apply to qualify:

Drug use, alcohol use, mental health, or intellectual disabilities are a factor leading to the offense
The Defendant is not changes with a Felony of the 1st 2nd or 3rd Degree, along with no Felony 4 Trafficking charges
The Defendant is not charged with an offense of violence and/or an offense against the elderly

In order to apply, a Motion for Intervention in Lieu is filed by Defense Attorney and the Defendant’s Affidavit is completed, notarized, and turned into Adult Probation. The Adult Probation Department will interview the Defendant and administer the ORAS. In addition, they will determine if the Defendant statutorily qualifies and is appropriate and will make a recommendation to the Court.

If the request for IILC is granted by the Court, the Defendant’s plea of guilty is entered. Generally, Defendant are expected to comply with general conditions of Community Control and special conditions, such as complete treatment, group recovery meetings, medication compliance, restitution, and community service.

If IILC is successfully completed, the case against the Defendant will be dismissed. If the Defendant fails to comply with any term or condition, a hearing will be held to determine if a violation occurred. If the Court determines there was a failure to comply, a finding of guilty will be imposed and the Court will proceed to sentencing.

Basic Community Control

Defendants are eligible for community control, provided they are not convicted of an offense requiring a mandatory sentence. There is a presumption of community control if offense is Felony 4 or 5, and there is no exception, such as the following:

Sex offenses
Previous felony (s)
Violation of Bond
Defendant on Community Control at time of offense
Crime of violence

After entering a plea or pleas, Defendant is referred for Pre-Sentence Investigation, where he/she meets with a Probation Officer and the ORAS is administered. Defendants are placed on Community Control for typically 3 years. For individuals living outside Ottawa County, the Adult Probation Department can provide supervision services, or transfer to the appropriate probation department.

While on probation, Defendants must comply with General Conditions of Community Control and other special conditions, which may include SCRAM/GPS monitoring, treatment, and Thinking for A Change. The Thinking for A Change class is provided , in house, by the Adult Probation Department.

If Defendants fail to comply with these conditions, a Complaint of Community Control can be filed by the Adult Probation Department or a Motion of Violation can be filed by the Prosecutor’s Office. The matter will proceed to Hearing and Disposition.

Intensive Supervision Program

The Intensive Supervision Program (ISP) is generally for Offenders who have failed at standard Community Control and require more intensive supervision. These Defendants are likely enrolled in other programs such as Specialized Docket Court, Intensive Outpatient Programming, and Thinking for a Change.

Judicial Release

Defendants whom are sentenced to the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Corrections may be eligible for Judicial Release. Depending on the sentencing offense, Judicial Release may be granted if the legal eligibility is met, a favorable institutional report is provided, and appropriate resources are available in the community.

Sealing of a Record

Defendants may make application for the sealing of their Court record in accordance with the Ohio Revised Code. The Probation Department investigates such applications, verifies that the Defendant meets the statutory requirements, and reports the finding to the Court. Please contact the Probation Department for further information regarding record sealing.

Staff

Jean Deis, Administrative Assistant

Jean Deis is a graduate of Port Clinton High School and a life-long resident of Port Clinton. Prior to working for the Adult Probation Department, Jean worked in the legal profession as a secretary for Moon, Moon, and Norbirtt for 17 years. She has worked as a paralegal specializing in of law in real estate, probate, and adoptions with Cooper, Straub, Walinski and Cramer in Toledo, Ohio. She has also served as the Clerk of the Ottawa County Municipal Court and a Clerical Specialist with the Ottawa County Department of Job and Family Services.

Jean was hired as the Adult Probation Secretary in 2003. Her various duties telephone management for the Probation Department, contacting and communicating updates to other law enforcement agencies, assisting in the completion of records checks, maintaining and managing all probation files, ensuring payment of bills for the Probation Department, preparing penalty sheets for new indictments, and assisting in the drug testing program.

Jean can be reached by email at jdeis@co.ottawa.oh.us.

Richard Dale, Probation Officer and Veteran’s Court Coordinator

Richard Dale is a graduate of Anderson High School in Cincinnati, Ohio. He earned both an Associate’s Degree of Applied Science and a Bachelor of Science Degree in Criminal Justice from the University of Cincinnati. He has served in and was honorably discharged from the Ohio Army National Guard.

Prior to working with the Court, Richard worked with federal and state halfway houses for the State of Kentucky Bureau of Prisons and for the United States Cabinet of Corrections. He also served as Senior Paralegal for Manley Burke, LPA, a law firm in Cincinnati, Ohio.

Richard accepted the position of Probation Officer in 2012. He is responsible for completing Pre-Sentence Investigations, supervising individuals on bond and Community Control, conducting urinalysis testing, and serving as Bailiff of the court.

He also serves as the Program Coordination for the Veteran’s Court Specialized Dockets and supervises all veterans with Court involvement. He also screens all Offenders for their veteran status and provides linkages to veteran-specific services.

Richard can be reached by email at rdale@co.ottawa.oh.us

Jackie Carroll, Probation Officer

Jackie Carroll attended Bowling Green State University where she received a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice and Psychology.

Prior to working in the Court, Jackie worked in the Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court as a Probation Officer in the High Risk Unit.

Jackie accepted and began working for this Court in 2021 as a Probation Officer. Jackie oversees the Pre-Trial Program of the Court, as well as supervising individuals on Community Control and helps provide them with the resources necessary to better themselves. She also facilitates the Court’s Thinking for A Change class.

Jackie can be reached at jcarroll@co.ottawa.oh.us

Brian Sloan, Probation Officer

Brian Sloan graduated from Danbury High School in Marblehead and studied Criminal Justice at the University of Findlay. Prior to working with the Court, Brian was a Police Officer with Danbury Township.

Brian accepted the position of Probation Officer in 2022. As a Probation Officer, Brian supervises various individuals who are sentenced to Community Control by the Common Pleas Court Judge. He assists the individuals with obtaining any necessary drug and alcohol treatment, mental health services, completing community service, and seeking and maintaining employment. In addition to his duties as a Probation Officer, Brian also acts as a Deputy Bailiff for the Court and is responsible for calling Court and preparing various entries for criminal cases.

Brian can be reached by email at bsloan@co.ottawa.oh.us.

Colton Peters, Probation Officer

Colton Peters attended Yale High School in Yale, Michigan. He earned his Bachelor’s degree in Criminology and Criminal Justice at the University of Akron. Prior to Working with the Court, Colton worked in Electronic Monitoring at Oriana House.

Colton accepted and began working for this Court in 2023. His responsibilities include drug testing, conducting interviews, and preparing Pre-Sentence Investigations for the Court.

Colton can be reached by email at cpeters@co.ottawa.oh.us.