Juvenile Probation
After diversion attempts have failed for a juvenile and they enter the criminal justice system, the juvenile has a hearing known as an adjudicatory hearing. During these hearings the judge decides which action would be most beneficial for the juvenile while still keeping public safety in mind. Intermediate sanctions are very popular for juveniles because many people feel juveniles have a better chance of being rehabilitated then adult offenders. The most popular intermediate sanction in our criminal justice system is probation.
As in adult probation, juveniles are released into the community as long as they stay out of trouble and follow their probation conditions. Juvenile probation officers work very closely with the juvenile’s parents and their schools. There are many different programs available to juveniles of probation as well. Some examples of these programs include drug and alcohol treatment, anger management, counseling, etc. Probation officers are responsible for determining which route would be best for the juvenile after reviewing the juvenile’s information and meeting with them. Probation is often paired with other intermediate sanctions (restitution, electronic monitoring, community service, etc.).
While interning with the Juvenile Probation Department in San Joaquin County, I learned how many programs there are available to juvenile offenders once they’re adjudicated. That particular department works with treatment facilities all over California, Wyoming, Pennsylvania, Texas, etc. Sending the juvenile out of state makes it less likely that they will run away. At these facilities the juvenile attends school, receive appropriate treatment and some of them cater to the juveniles’ hobbies (sports, drama, horse back riding, etc). Incorporating a hobby in their rehabilitative process increases the likelihood that they will participate and be successful.
Rehabilitating a juvenile and helping them become a successful member of society is the main goal in juvenile probation. Finding the best way to make that happen is often a challenge for the probation officer, but when it happens it can be very rewarding.
As in adult probation, juveniles are released into the community as long as they stay out of trouble and follow their probation conditions. Juvenile probation officers work very closely with the juvenile’s parents and their schools. There are many different programs available to juveniles of probation as well. Some examples of these programs include drug and alcohol treatment, anger management, counseling, etc. Probation officers are responsible for determining which route would be best for the juvenile after reviewing the juvenile’s information and meeting with them. Probation is often paired with other intermediate sanctions (restitution, electronic monitoring, community service, etc.).
While interning with the Juvenile Probation Department in San Joaquin County, I learned how many programs there are available to juvenile offenders once they’re adjudicated. That particular department works with treatment facilities all over California, Wyoming, Pennsylvania, Texas, etc. Sending the juvenile out of state makes it less likely that they will run away. At these facilities the juvenile attends school, receive appropriate treatment and some of them cater to the juveniles’ hobbies (sports, drama, horse back riding, etc). Incorporating a hobby in their rehabilitative process increases the likelihood that they will participate and be successful.
Rehabilitating a juvenile and helping them become a successful member of society is the main goal in juvenile probation. Finding the best way to make that happen is often a challenge for the probation officer, but when it happens it can be very rewarding.
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posted by Elise at
1:40 PM
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