Juvenile Probation Director Tom Kidd Video

Juveniles between the ages of 10 and 16 may be referred to Juvenile Probation by local school districts and police agencies. The handling of juveniles is regulated by state law and the administration of probation services is done at the county level. Juvenile Probation is responsible for processing referrals such as children in need of supervision (truancy, runaway), misdemeanor and felony level offenses received from police agencies within Parker County. Parker County Juvenile Probation strives to serve what is in the best interest of the juvenile and the local community.

 Juvenile Probation Procedures & Services

The following steps take place during the process of a juvenile entering in the court process:

• Juvenile Probation receives referrals from local school districts for truancy.
• Local police agencies refer cases for runaway, misdemeanor, and felony level offenses.
• Once a formal referral is received by the Juvenile Probation Department, a certified juvenile probation officer (JPO) will review the allegation.
• The JPO will then schedule an intake conference with the juvenile and his/her parents or guardian.
• At this conference, a thorough review of the juvenile, his/her family, and circumstances of the allegation will be conducted in order to determine options for disposition of the case.
• Parker County Juvenile Probation provides many programs and resources to juvenile offenders and their families.

Disposition Options

The following are possible scenarios that can result upon a juvenile being disposed in court:

• Closing of the case due to no probable cause
• Referral to services such as counseling, and/or alcohol awareness classes
• Deferred prosecution for up to six or twelve months
• Request of filing of a petition and adjudication in juvenile court
• Once a juvenile has been placed on a deferred prosecution agreement or court ordered probation, they will be supervised by a JPO. The JPO will oversee compliance with the rules of probation and arrange for attendance at required programs and counseling The supervising JPO will be your main contact during the term of probation
• If adjudicated, juvenile may be placed on probation up to age18
• May be placed outside of the home with a relative or other person
• Placed in a non-secure or secure residential facility
• Committed to the Texas Juvenile Justice Department to age 19 (Felony level offense)
• Determinate Sentencing Law (Felony level offense)
• Transfer to adult court (certification), must be at least 14 / 15 and felony level offense

Department Programs