Probation is a court ordered sanction that allows youth to remain in the community under the supervision of a Probation Officer. The conditions of community-based supervision can vary. It could include fines, restitution, community service, educational programs, restrictions, counseling, drug tests or other sanctions.
Not all youth who are referred to Probation Services receive court ordered community supervision. In fact, the majority of youth referred do not even go to court. Through the Probation Intake Unit, Probation Officers apply objective criteria and assessments to determine graduated levels of response and possible informal handling of presenting charges. Youth can be diverted to service providers in the community, educational programs or supervised informally for a short period of time if the situation warrants such.
Trial by Peers (peer court for misdemeanor citations), the Truancy Program and Consent Decree Supervision are all informal supervision programs where a youth has the opportunity to have charges dismissed upon successful completion.
Field Supervision is for juvenile offenders deemed appropriate for community supervision by the court. Field Probation Officers are responsible to monitor compliance with court orders, assist probationers in obtaining needed services, conduct home, school, and work visits, administer drug tests, and insure victims are being compensated through restitution payments. If the probationer does not follow the conditions and orders set forth by the court, the Probation Officer could take the youth back before the Judge for further consequences.
Drug Court, Juvenile Sex Offender Unit, and the Continuum of Care Program are specific field units that provide specialized assessments and intensive supervision to those populations with particular needs.
The DJJS Review and Release Programis a component of the Continuum of Care Program (CCP) that utilizes Home Management and Global Positioning satellite (GPS) services to help control the Juvenile Detention Center's population through a community re-entry program. Youth who are released to the community under Home Management and/or GPS Monitoring are released under a contractual agreement that holds the offenders accountable for abiding by the conditions stipulated in the behavioral contract which restricts activities beyond school, work, medical and/or religious reasons to ensure public safety. Departmental staff, specifically Probation Officers, conduct numerous unannounced home, school, employment and community visits seven days a week during day and late evening hours to ensure compliance. Juveniles violating either the Home Management and/or the GPS Monitoring contract rules face a series of graduated sanctions, including immediate re-incarceration.
Probation Officers are expected to be competent in addressing a variety of issues at the Intake level as well as in Field Services. Substance abuse, sexual deviancy, child abuse, domestic violence, gangs, and mental health issues are some areas Officers are specifically trained on. Probation Officers work hand in hand with community groups and social service agencies to provide offenders and victims with support and services. Probation Officers maintain partnerships with local law enforcement and other justice agencies so they can benefit from each others area of expertise and communicate the latest information.
Center Locations
Fines and Restitution
Restorative Justice Program
Work Permits