Probation Department / Probation Department Programs

The Probation Department of the Juvenile Division of the Common Pleas Court is a very active department, consisting of a Chief Probation Officer and two Probation Officers. All probation officers have caseloads assigned to them in which they are actively involved. Additionally, all officers have the following required duties:

1.

Filing Violation of Law/Court Orders through the Prosecutor's Office

2.

Testifying in Court hearings.

3.

Serving as Court Bailiff

4.

Attending ongoing education and training sessions

5.

Writing and filing reports

6.

Public Speaking

7.

Monitoring those under Court supervision for probation or Court orders

8.

Utilizing arrest authority when appropriate

Probation Officers work closely and regularly with the Prosecutor's Office, schools, police, community and the various support agencies in the County. Attempts are made to have personal "face to face" contact with not only those on probation, but all agencies with which this department has a business relationship.

It is the Probation Department's belief that in order to be an effective, knowledgeable operation, it is mandatory to be out in the schools, police departments and community as much as possible in order to properly supervise those on probation. It is also of utmost importance that the Probation Officers know the respective environments of those they supervise and to know the issues that the clients must face on a daily basis. This, we have found, is the reason people act as they do. An ongoing, ever escalating abuse of alcoholic beverages, deterioration in parental supervision and lack of home environment conducive to values are the primary reasons for more and more youth becoming involved in the criminal justice system.

It is also paramount to the Court's position that rehabilitation of the juvenile offender is our objective through accountability, responsibility, treatment and supervision. However, the public safety and welfare must be of primary concern when deciding what is the appropriate action that is to be taken.