1. Juvenile Probation What is Probation? Probation is defined as “A court imposed criminal sanction that, subject to stated conditions, releases a criminal into the community instead of prison or jail.”

2. What is Juvenile Probation? Juvenile probation (or parole) releases a juvenile (a child under 18) from confinement under the same types of conditions that a probationer is typically released. This normally involves the probationer submitting to search and seizure on demand of any peace officer, and possibly mandatory drug tests and restrictions on weapons or places they can go depending on the offense.

3. Roles and Responsibilities of Probation Officers Enforcing the terms and conditions of probation that are imposed on juveniles. For instance, ensuring that they comply with curfew hours, check them for weapons and/or drugs, and ensure they stay away from certain people or places. Meet with the juvenile to ensure that he or she is complying with his or her probation.

4. When do Probation Officers Become Involved in the Court Process? Once the sentence is imposed, a juvenile will either be found to be put in the custody of the state, and then placed on probation afterward. Or the juvenile will have a suspended sentence, and be immediately placed on probation, at which point the probation officer will immediately become involved.

5. What are the responsibilities of probation officers? Probation officers are responsible for enforcing the terms of probation. They are responsible for recommending to the court that probation be revoked if they believed that the juvenile is in violation of probation. They may write a ‘probation report’ if the juvenile is remanded to the custody of the state on any subsequent offense.