Probation

About Probation

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Probation is a court ordered sanction that is an alternative to incarceration.  It allows a person to remain in the community under the supervision of a probation officer. While on probation, there are various conditions that have to be followed.  The conditions of this community-based supervision can vary and may include:

• Jail time
• Drug and alcohol testing
• Counseling
• Community service
• Fines
• Restitution
• Many other conditions

If the person does not follow the rules and conditions of their probation, they could go back before the court and be re-sentenced to jail or even prison.

Members of the Clay County Probation Office Team:

1. Curtis Leib – Chief Probation Officer

2. Tera Conklin – Probation Officer

3. Krista Weidner – Juvenile Probation Officer

4. Vickie Sachau – Probation Secretary

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What do Probation Officers do?

Probation Officers function as officers of the courts.  They supervise a person who has been placed on probation, conditional discharge or court supervision and deemed appropriate for community supervision.

Some of the duties of a Probation Officer include:

• Provide complete and accurate pre-sentence information to the court to facilitate judicial decision-making
• Provide differential community-based supervision and intervention to offenders based upon their risk of re-offending and their need for services
• Reduce recidivism among offenders sentenced to probation
• Ensure accountability to the victim and the community through restitution and public service programs

Adult Probation Services

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Adult Probation Services is responsible to the Court for investigating and supervising offenders and alleged offenders. Two (2) staff members provide services in the following areas: Pretrial, Pre-sentence Investigation, Standard Probation, Sex Offender, Domestic Violence, DUI, Drug, Mental Health and Veteran’s Court, Public Service, Cognitive Behavioral Programming (Moral Reconation Therapy) and Support units provide these services.

Written investigative reports are provided to the Court at the sentencing stage, and during supervision. These reports include complete background checks on individuals and are used by judges to make appropriate sentencing decisions. If an offender is sentenced to pre-trial or probation supervision, the conditions imposed by the Court are monitored by probation officers and include office visits, home and work contacts, facilitation of treatment, urinalysis testing, public service work, and criminal record checks. Other types of interventions unique to an offender’s circumstance, such as monitoring the computers of sex offenders, are also offered.

Every effort is made to help offenders change their behavior so they will not continue to break the law. If these efforts fail, violators are referred back to court for punitive action that could include jail or prison time.

Juvenile Probation Services

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It is the primary job of the juvenile probation officer to supervise and monitor juveniles who are placed on court-ordered probation. The officer monitors the juvenile’s adjustment in the home, community, and at school. This monitoring is completed by meeting on a regular basis with the juvenile, parents, school officials, and any community agency providing services to the juvenile.

The juvenile probation officer is also responsible for writing detailed social histories to assist the court in determining a disposition for the juvenile. When it is determined that due to a juvenile’s behavior they cannot live in the community without additional services, it is the juvenile probation officer’s responsibility to refer and recommend to the court placement of the juvenile outside of their home. These placements may be in a foster home or residential group home.

As a last alternative, the court may order the minor committed to the Illinois Department of Corrections.