The Adult Probation Department has also implemented several new programs recently, including:
  • The CATCH program: This program is offered by Jail Alternatives for Michigan Services (JAMS) and are specifically designed for second time drinking and driving offenders or anyone with a high blood alcohol level.  The CATCH program operates throughout the year and requires participants to submit to testing each and every morning and evening of major holidays such as Labor and Memorial Day weekends.
  • The Cell Phone for Safety program: This program is for the victims of domestic violence who have no phone available to them.  It is used in instances where the defendant has a concern for his safety.  The phone itself is programmed to make only 911 emergency service calls for immediate assistance to the victim.

All of the Juvenile Probation Department programs are community-based with a variety of services which youths may be referred to in an effort to assist them in assessing behavior and making positive changes.  Among the programs available for youth offenders are:

·        Teen Court

·        Counseling Programs

·        Educational Programs

·        Chemical Dependency Programs

·        Written Assignments

·        Shoplifters' Alternative

·        Youth Fire Setters' Program

·        Work Detail/Community Service

·        Juvenile Awareness Group (JAG)

·        Juvenile Boot Camp

·        Youth Assistance Programs

Teen Court

This program is another tool available to the juvenile probation officer when he believes that the juvenile may benefit more from being sentenced by his peers than by traditional sentencing before a judge.  These cases are normally “low” risk and under diversion. This program holds a youth accountable for his behavior in an effort to prevent the development of a pattern of offenses.  The youth offenders are referred by the Juvenile Probation Officer based on his evaluation of the juvenile’s prior history, family situation, and the likelihood that the youth involved would comply with the decision of the Teen Court.

The program involves a partnership between the 35th District Court and local high schools in the court’s jurisdiction.  A core curriculum has been designed jointly by the courts and teachers of the high schools to train teen jurors for their roles in the Teen Court.  Youth placed in this program for sentencing, however, must admit responsibility.   Teen jurors are given the responsibility of determining which sentence options are most appropriate by questioning the offender and his parents after the offender has testified to the circumstances surrounding the offense.  While Teen Court is in session, a judge or magistrate oversees all proceedings. 

The key to the effectiveness of this program is the positive use of peer influence to impact the behavior of the juvenile offender.  Beyond the obvious benefits of this program to offenders,  secondary benefits to the program have also been discovered.  The over 300 students who participate in the Teen Court Program each year as jurors are  trained and empowered to influence their peers.  They play a real and important role in their communities system of law.  When asked to step up to this responsibility they have done so effectively and efficiently, and they have left with an understanding of their ownership in our country’s legal system.

Counseling Programs

In order to address individual and family issues, counseling resources offered by community providers are used for young people in need of generalized intervention.  These counseling sessions are designed to make positive changes in delinquent or incorrigible behaviors.  There are also support programs for parents such as Youth Assistance.

Educational Programs

For offenders with driving, tobacco, alcohol or other drug-related offenses, the Juvenile Court in the 35th District Court provides community based programs that give a youth offender the necessary tools to make positive and healthy decisions in his life.

Chemical Dependency Programs

For more serious alcohol and substance use matters, there are higher level programs designed to assist the youth and his family to work out a lifelong program to remain chemically independent.  Usually this involves an intensive outpatient program that allows the youth to remain in his home and school and still receive necessary treatment

Written Assignments

Written assignments are used for two purposes: 1) as tools of intervention to understand the individual better  so the probation officer may properly assess the needs of the youth offender and his family and 2) as a means of forcing the offender to think through his actions and their consequences.

Shoplifters' Alternative

This program is used for youth that have committed offenses that involve theft from retail or persons.  The program includes written and classroom components.

Youth Fire Setters' Program

The fire setters program educates and builds awareness in the youth on the dangers of fire and the impact that fire setting has on society.

Work Detail/Community Service

The 35th District Court operates Work Detail and Community Service programs for juveniles that are similar to adult programs.  Individuals on the Juvenile Work Detail are not assigned to work on (or with) the adult program.

Juvenile Awareness Group (JAG)

The JAG program is run through a correctional officer/counselor at the Federal Correctional Institution in Milan, Michigan.  The court refers male juvenile offenders that are high risk to attend this three hour information/interactive session with inmates that are offering their life experiences in hopes of helping youth understand the potential outcome of poor decision-making.

Juvenile Boot Camp

Recently renamed Mid-Course correction, this “boot camp-like” program is located at Wildwood Ranch in Howell, Michigan.  The program operates on designated weekends and includes guest speakers, and high ropes courses, group activities and debriefing sessions.  The design of the program is targeted at enhancing self-esteem, leadership, and self-evaluation skills.