Juvenile Probation
Each of the fifty states has its own juvenile probation service which is authorized by a statute. It was the Commonwealth of Massachusetts that initially passed an act involving juvenile delinquents in 1869 as part of the wave of social reform during that period.
An agent from the state board of charities was authorized under that Act to make an appearance in criminal trials where a juvenile was involved, to locate a suitable home, and to make periodic visit to a juvenile delinquent. These services were then expanded, and by 1890, probation had become a mandatory component of the court structure. Since then, probation became a cornerstone in the evolving juvenile court system.
Juvenile probation, including all other forms of community treatment, is generally a non-punitive disposition by courts on cases involving delinquent youths. It emphasizes treatment of juveniles without the need of placing them in jail. Under the current structure, an officer of the court supervises a juvenile who is under probation. The court-appointed officer's primary duty is to help juveniles acquire acceptable forms of behavior in a community setting.
There are sets of rules and conditions that a juvenile delinquent is required to follow in order to stay in the community. A wide variety of community-based programs usually become the settings for treating juveniles on probation. It is the idea that the juvenile offender does not pose any danger to the community, and that he or she has a better opportunity to rehabilitate within the community, which is the basis of the community treatment.
A probation sentence is actually considered as a contract entered into by and between the court and the juvenile offender. The court promises to hold in abeyance the imposition of institutionalization on the offender; the juvenile promises to adhere strictly to the mandated rules established by the court. While the rules may vary among state jurisdictions, they usually include conditions such as school or work attendance, staying out of trouble, and remaining within the jurisdiction.
For further information about juvenile probation, you may want to consult a lawyer who is knowledgeable about the matter.