Juvenile Probation

The department provides services for juvenile offenders residing in Chisago County who commit offenses ranging from petty offenses through felony offenses.

Petty Offense

Juveniles who have been found by the court to have committed a petty offense are supervised by a probation officer for up to 6 months at a low level of supervision. The probation officer reviews the court's order and enforces the conditions specific to each case. Typical conditions include attendance at an educational class specific to the offense, chemical dependency assessments, restitution, and completion of a specific number of hours of community service work or participation on a community service work crew.

Misdemeanors, Gross Misdemeanors & Felony Offenses

Juveniles who have been found by the court to have committed a more serious misdemeanor, gross misdemeanor, or a felony offense, are supervised by probation officers. The supervision period can last from 6 months up to a year, however, the supervision period can be extended by the court up to the juvenile's 19th birthday. In certain cases, juveniles may be found to be an "extended jurisdiction juvenile" which results in probation supervision on until age 21.

Supervision Level

The juvenile's supervision level is determined by the juvenile's score on the Youth Level of Service / Case Management Inventory. Supervision levels range from "low" with monthly face to face contacts, to "high" with weekly face to face contacts with a probation officer. The probation officer ensures that the court's order is followed by the drafting of a probation contract.

Probation Conditions

Typical probation conditions include:

  • Chemical dependency assessment
  • Completion of several hours of community service work
  • Mental health or family counseling
  • Participation in an education program specific to the offense
  • Period of incarceration in a juvenile correctional facility
  • Restitution

Juveniles requiring additional services may be removed from their home and placed in foster homes, group foster homes, residential treatment facilities, or correctional camp programs. Progress reports are submitted to the court on a regular basis and a court order is required before the juvenile is formally discharged from probation.

Truancy

Juveniles deemed to be a habitual truant in need of protection and/or services are monitored by Chisago County Probation. Probation monitors these cases to ensure the conditions imposed by Court are being met by the juvenile. Additionally, resources are provided based upon needs of the student and his/her family to increase school attendance, and improve academics and behavior. A court hearing is held every 30-45 days in order to inform the court of the juvenile’s progress and modify conditions if need be. The truancy agent is at each school, within Chisago County, once a week. This agent works in partnership with school staff to monitor students who are habitually truant and to address students at risk of habitual truancy.