Probation Supervision

• The Jefferson Parish Probation Division provides investigation and supervisory services for Juvenile Court and is part of the Department of Juvenile Services.
• Probation is a legal status imposed upon a juvenile or adult by a court. Offenders are usually permitted to remain in their own home under the supervision of a probation officer.
• In a sense, the offenders are given a chance to prove that they can correct their illegal behavior while at home and without loss of freedom.

Probation Officer

• Probation Officers are specialized individuals who are educated and trained to perform investigative and supervisory services for the Court.
• They are commissioned officers of the Court who have arrest powers.
• Probation Officers routinely conduct interviews, investigate the background of juveniles, prepare court reports, give testimony in court, supervise the conduct of juveniles placed on active probation, and enforce court orders.

Referral for Probation Services

• The Court refers the case to the Department of Juvenile Services Probation Division to investigate the background of the juvenile.
• After receiving the referral, the department assigns the case to a probation officer who investigates the circumstances surrounding the offense, the needs, and social history of the juvenile and family.
• The family is required to appear at the probation office for this investigation.
• A written report of the investigation, containing the findings and recommendations of the probation officer, is submitted to the Court prior to the disposition hearing.

Disposition Hearing

• It is a special hearing where the judge decides what to do with the juvenile offender.
• The probation officer and the other individuals important to the juvenile appear before the Court and provide recommendations to the judge.
• The judge considers the information presented as well as considering both the protection of the community and the needs of the juvenile prior to determining the disposition of the case.

A Juvenile Is Placed On Probation

• If a juvenile is placed on probation, a probation officer is assigned to their case. The juvenile is monitored in order to keep track of their behavior and activities.
• This is done through periodic personal contacts with family, school authorities, employers and others.
• While under supervision, the juvenile is expected to follow specific rules. These rules are called the “Conditions of Probation” which are presented in contract form.
• A copy of the conditions/rules are signed by all parties and given to the juvenile following the dispositional hearing.
• Violations of probation are brought back before the Court and could result in consequences.

Restitution

• When property is damaged or unrecovered as a result of a juvenile’s action, the Court may order the juvenile to make restitution to the victim based upon the information gathered by the restitution officer.
• When the juvenile is unable to make monetary restitution or when it is believed by the Court to be in the best interest of the juvenile, community service restitution may be ordered.
• A juvenile participating in community service restitution is ordered by the Court to perform a specific number of hours of service.
• When and where to begin work may be specified by the Court, but it is usually determined by the restitution/community service program coordinator.

Juvenile Violates the Conditions of Probation

• The probation officer is obligated to enforce the conditions of probation.
• If violations occur, the juvenile may be evaluated to determine additional treatment needs.
• If the violation is serious, the juvenile may be arrested, detained, and return to court for either a constructive contempt or revocation of probation hearing.
• Either may result in the juvenile’s loss of freedom to remain at home.

How a Juvenile Gets Off of Probation

• Probation ends when the judgment (sentence) of the Court expires.
• The probation officer may request an early termination of probation supervision when the conditions of probation have been satisfied and the juvenile needs no further supervision.
• A juvenile’s probation may also end by having the suspended sentence (judgement) to the state agency Office of Juvenile Justice imposed. If this is done, the juvenile is placed in the state’s custody and then placed in a state juvenile correctional facility or a state residential treatment facility.

The Department of Juvenile Services also staffs and operates the following specialized programs:

• Pretrial Service Program
• Trackers Program
• Global Positioning Satellite (GPS) Monitoring Program
• Community Service Work Program
• Intensive Probation Supervision Program
• Drug Test / Screening Program
• Job Placement Program
• Volunteer Service Program

Probation Statistics

• 2021 Probation Data
• ATD (Alternatives to Detention) 2021
• Probation Recidivism Rate