Juvenile probation is the statistically highest disposition that is utilized by the juvenile courts.  Probation is a mechanism, which includes court orders, supervision, offender responsibilities and parent/guardian expectations, to allow children who have committed delinquent offenses to stay within the community, continue activities such as school attendance and work and report to the department as well as be visited by a juvenile probation officer at home, school and in the community.  There are three types of supervised probation that cover children and families.  These include:

• Deferred Probation is an alternative to seeking a formal adjudication of delinquent conduct or conduct indicating a need of supervision.  It is a three to six month voluntary period of probation.
• Probation and intensive supervision is a juvenile court disposition that may not continue beyond the child’s 18th birthday.  The juvenile court may permit the child to remain in their own home, a suitable foster home, a public or private residential treatment facility or a suitable public or private post-adjudication facility.  The juvenile court’s probation orders vary from child-to-child and depend on each adjudication, the needs of the child as well as severity of the case.
• Orders Affecting Parent and Others are juvenile court orders for child support, injunctive orders, probation supervision fees and costs of court.

What happens when I am placed on probation?
When placed on probation, you will be assigned a juvenile probation officer (JPO) and will be supervised by the Grayson County Department of Juvenile Probation for the entirety of your probation. You will be required to maintain contact with your assigned JPO as well as expected to follow all court orders and/or DFAD contracts and cooperate fully with the department.

How many children are placed on probation by the juvenile courts of Grayson County?
Approximately 60 juveniles a year are Adjudicated Delinquent by the Juvenile Courts of Grayson County and placed on Court Ordered Probation.

Will I have to go to JDC, Boot Camp or away from my home?
Your placement in JDC, Boot Camp, or placement outside of your home is dependent upon your behavior and needs while on supervision. Several things will be taken into consideration when considering placement outside of your home including: the severity of your offense, commission of a new offense, and violations of your court ordered probation/DFAD Contract.

What is intensive supervision probation and how is it different?
Intensive supervision probation (ISP) is the highest level of supervision with Grayson County Department of Juvenile Probation. Placement on ISP means you will have more frequent contact with the department and is considered to be a last chance for supervision in the community before placement is considered.

How do I pay back so much restitution and what are parent/guardians responsible for?
Restitution, whether a small or large amount, can be paid through reasonable effort by making consistent monthly payments to the department throughout the duration of your probation. Parents/Guardians are responsible for complying with the court’s Orders Affecting Parents, Guardians, and Others which includes but is not limited the full payment of restitution.

What do I have to do to get my community service restitution (CSR) complete?
The Grayson County Department of Juvenile Probation provides community service restitution events and ongoing opportunities throughout the year. The child and family may also choose a department approved community service project. The details of these opportunities will be discussed during your initial meeting with your assigned JPO.

What can cause my juvenile probation to be revoked?
Your juvenile probation may be revoked for failure to follow your conditions of probation which includes current violations of those conditions or the commission of a new offense.