Juvenile Probation

In Virginia, juvenile probation and parole (except for Fairfax County, Arlington County, and Falls Church) are under the Executive Branch, Department of Juvenile Justice, Division of Community Programs. Fairfax County, Arlington County, and Falls Church chose to remain a locally run system and falls under the jurisdiction of the county/city manager. The remainder of the state was changed over to a state run system.

Most adult misdemeanor probation cases and some lower level felony cases are managed by local agencies that receive funding through the Community Corrections Act administered by the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services.

Carrying a firearm is not a mandatory job requirement, but about 50% of the adult probation officers are armed. They are not classified as peace officers. By statute they have the power to arrest, but the administration says no. They do undergo psychological testing prior to being allowed to carry a firearm. The state sets the firearm standards. The Chief Judge of the Circuit Court that is served by the probation and parole district determines if officers in that district will carry a firearm.

Only those who carry are required to take the firearm training. Officers receive training and re-certification through the academy by firearms instructors certified by the Department of Criminal Justice Services.

The officers are required to carry a .38 caliber provided by the Department.

There are no private companies providing adult probation supervision services.

Juvenile Parole

In Virginia, juvenile probation and parole (except for Fairfax County, Arlington County, and Falls Church) are under the Executive Branch, Department of Juvenile Justice, Division of Community Programs. Fairfax County, Arlington County, and Falls Church chose to remain a locally run system and falls under the jurisdiction of the county/city manager. The remainder of the state was changed over to a state run system.

The information in the following narrative is for the 32 districts that fall under the state run system.

Although under the law, officers have the authority to be armed, they must be authorized by a judge to carry a firearm.

Officers are not classified as peace officers, but have the power to arrest those under their jurisdiction.

There are no private organizations that provide supervision services.

Adult Probation and Parole

The Virginia Department of Corrections’ Community Corrections section provides adult felony probation services. The agency is in the Executive Branch of state government. Parole was abolished in Virginia for offenders whose crimes were committed on or after January 1, 1995. Community Corrections still supervises parolees released under the old law, as well as inmates sentenced under the new law who, after completion of a prison term, may be placed on probation or post-release supervision by supervising courts.

Most adult misdemeanor probation cases and some lower level felony cases are managed by local agencies that receive funding through the Community Corrections Act administered by the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services.

Carrying a firearm is not a mandatory job requirement, but about 50% of the adult probation officers are armed. They are not classified as peace officers. By statute they have the power to arrest, but the administration says no. They do undergo psychological testing prior to being allowed to carry a firearm. The state sets the firearm standards. The Chief Judge of the Circuit Court that is served by the probation and parole district determines if officers in that district will carry a firearm.

Only those who carry are required to take the firearm training. Officers receive training and re-certification through the academy by firearms instructors certified by the Department of Criminal Justice Services.

The officers are required to carry a .38 caliber provided by the Department.

There are no private companies providing adult probation supervision services.

For updates or corrections to the information on this page, please contact: Diane Kincaid