VOA Report Outlines Juvenile Probation Numbers

During their recent meeting the Johnson County Commissioners got their quarterly report from Scott Duncan, Juvenile Probation Coordinator with Volunteers of America of the Northern Rockies.

Commissioner Bill Novotny asked a question about probation numbers.

County Attorney Tucker Ruby offered a more detailed explanation, saying the courts generally view probation as the “odd man out,” preferring to put juveniles in diversion, or if the offenses are serious enough, to put them in District Court, taking them out of the VOA juvenile justice system.

Ruby said it’s not common for juveniles to be placed on probation for offenses they usually come into the juvenile justice system for, but if they do, it’s usually kids that are repeat offenders.

Ruby said luckily, the county has not has very many of those kids.