At the request of a judge, the Adult Probation Department will investigate and make recommendations for an appropriate sentence for any person 17 years of age or older who is guilty of a misdemeanor offense committed within the court’s jurisdiction.  In this pre-sentence investigation, the Probation Officer assesses the risk of the defendant and determines an appropriate means to reduce the likelihood that the defendant will go out and commit the same or any other criminal offense.  The Probation Officers then have a variety of options available for their sentencing recommendations.  The options the officer may use separately or in any combination include:

·        Probation Supervision

·        Counseling

·        Work Detail

·        Community Service

·        House Arrest (tether)

·        Vehicle Immobilization/Confiscation

·        Testing for drug or alcohol use

·        Jail/Incarceration

Depending on an assessment of the risk that an offender pose, he may be placed on either reporting or non-reporting probation.  If deemed a low enough risk, only minimal contact with the probation officer will be required in a non-reporting probation.  Higher risk offenders, however, are often required to meet monthly with a Probation Officer to give updates on their progress and compliance with the court’s orders.

Our staff of four full time probation officers and three volunteer officer supervises between 400 and 550 people a month.