The Probation Department is responsible for the supervision, counseling and referral of defendants placed on probation. The probation department at the 43rd District Court is a full-service probation department in that it also performs all alcohol screening assessments and pre-sentence investigations.

Granted by the presiding judge, probation is a sentence that allows the offender to reside in their community under the supervision of a probation officer. This decision is issued after careful study of the offender's background, behavior, and potential for success. The decision is also based on the thinking that rehabilitation of certain offenders may be impaired by incarceration.

The 43rd District Court has a chief probation officer and one additional probation officer, as well as a probation clerk. These officers are responsible for conducting pre-sentence investigations and alcohol assessments, as well as Probation Violation Hearings. The Court’s support staff is responsible for processing and creating files used by each officer. Each officer is assigned a special program that requires working with the judge and key individuals within the community.

sentencing options