Text Size: Print

Quick Links 86th District Court Bond Payments86th District Court Traffic/Criminal PaymentEmploymentHolidaysOnline RecordsPublic FormsRequests for BidsGIS Interactive Mapping

Juvenile Probation

Located in the lower level 
of the Robert P. Griffin Hall of Justice
(231) 922-4650

Under the leadership of JUDGE MELANIE STANTON, the team of Probation Officers for the 13th Circuit Court - Family Division strive to develop healthy youth and families, while aiming to ensure a safe community.

Emphasized is the process of change through three main pillars of probation.

ACCOUNTABILITY
CONSEQUENCE
TREATMENT

When placed on probation at the Dispositional Hearing (sentencing), youth are assigned to a Probation Officer and provided with an Order of Disposition.  They are mandated to comply with the probation order for the duration of their probationary period.  Typically, the probationary period ranges from six to twelve months.  If probation violations occur, probation may be extended indefinitely until compliance is met.

Probation orders are designed to address the nature of the offense, the background history of youth and family, mental health issues, behavioral concerns, academic status, and individual needs which are presented at the intake process with a designated Probation Officer.  The intake process follows the Preliminary Hearing typically within a two-week period.  The Dispositional Hearing is scheduled typically within a two-week period as well.

There is a wide array of dispositional options available for implementation in the probation order.  Different options are recommended to become the terms of probation. 

The Juvenile Division embraces the practice of blending punitive and therapeutic measures to fully answer and manage unlawful behaviors.  Results generated from psychiatric, psychological, substance abuse assessments, and other clinical testing tools provide direction in determining the therapeutic planning best suited for the rehabilitation of the youth being served.  Therapeutic measures consist of a menu of programs and interventions.    

Commonly Used Terms in Juvenile Cases

JUVENILE PROBATION IS DESIGNED TO PROMOTE PERSONAL GROWTH, PRINCIPLE DRIVEN LIFE STYLES, AND LAW ABIDING CONDUCT.  The Juvenile Division believes that our goal to improve the lives of youth and families is enhanced by:

    Building and maintaining community-based partnerships
    Implementing results based on outcome driven services and practices
    Advocating for and addressing the needs of victims, offenders, families, and communities
    Obtaining and sustaining sufficient resources
    Promoting growth and development of juvenile probation professionals

Top of Page