Pretrial & Probation Services
Pretrial Services
Seneca County Pretrial Services provides the highest levels of professional conduct, remaining neutral and objective. The goal of Pretrial Services is to provide supervision of defendants awaiting trial or sentencing, and to assure compliance with bond conditions. A Pretrial Services Officer is assigned to each defendant accordingly.
Pretrial Services Contact Information
- 183 E. Perry St, Tiffin, Ohio 44883
- Phone: (567) 220-6900
- Fax: (567) 220-6523
Pretrial Services performs two primary functions:
- The first primary function is to provide bond recommendations to the Court for any defendant referred by the Court on a criminal charge. Bond recommendations are made after a defendant is interviewed and specific information, such as prior criminal record, current home address, and current employment status, is investigated and verified.
- The second primary function is to help alleviate jail overcrowding. Pretrial supervision shall provide the least restrictive supervision recommendation to the Court, specifically determined by the circumstances of each case.
Pretrial Services Staff:
Seneca County Pretrial Services is staffed by the following:
- Steve Niedermier, Lead Investigator
(567) 220-6900 ext. 1187 - Kim Coppes, PSI Administrative Assistant
(567) 220-6900 ext. 1188 - Lisa Newell, Presentence Investigator
(567) 220-6900 ext. 1225
Seneca County Probation Services
Seneca County Probation Services enhances public safety and promotes defendant reintegration in the community through proactive supervision and referral to community resources. Probation Services shall provides the highest quality service to the Court, community, and defendants, through effective community-based supervision, enforcement of court orders, and promotion of defendant’s positive change.
Probation Services Contact Information
- 183 E. Perry St, Tiffin, Ohio 44883
- Phone: (567) 220-6900
- Fax: (567) 220-6523
Court's Philosophy About Supervision:
Defendants placed on probation, also known as community control, are under the supervision of Seneca County Probation Services. All probation officers provide supervision to assigned defendants through evidenced-based practices. Addressing the core issues/needs of every defendant’s experience requires evaluation and many levels of service. Defendants are referred to local agencies to address issues related to substance abuse, mental health and psychiatric care, other support-based groups, vocational support, GED classes and other individualized services.
All probation officers are trained in evidence-based practices and core correctional practices. Specifically, all officers utilize Motivational Interviewing techniques to encourage defendants to explore and access internal and external factors that impact their thinking and subsequent actions.
Probation Services Staff:
Seneca County Probation Services is staffed by the following:
- Cathy Brookes, Chief Probation Officer
(567) 220-6900 ext. 1181 - Angie Ward, Probation Officer
(567) 220-6900 ext. 1182 - Daniel Shaferly, Probation Officer
(567) 220-6900 ext. 1185 - Patrick Ardner, Probation Officer
(567) 220-6900 ext. 1186 - Daniel Cole, Probation Officer
(567) 220-6900 ext. 1184 - Denise Ackerman, Program Assistant
(567) 220-6900 ext. 1180
Local Rules of Court
The Local Rules of Court herein shall apply only to the General and Domestic Relations Divisions, except as otherwise specifically provided.
PIVOT Recovery Program
"Participating in Victory of Transition" is a program that helps participants get back on the right path and assists with long-term sobriety.
Civil Mediation
Mediation is a process whereby the parties meet with a person not connected with the case, who is trained in dispute resolution.