Probation Diversion Services
As an alternative to court involvement, the Family Court Act provides for local Probation Departments to offer diversion services. The purpose of diversion services is to divert cases from going to Family Court. Diversion services are the only voluntary service offered by the Department of Probation and Community Justice and the only service able to be accessed on a walk-in basis and without a court order. Our department concentrates its diversion efforts on matters related to youth. These youth are identified as Persons in Need of Supervision (PINS) or Juvenile Delinquents (JD).
Family Court Probation Officers provide daily intake coverage Monday through Friday. This means that they are the designated contact for the Probation Department if and when people from the community come looking for information or guidance for any family related matter. This type of request is referred to as an “information only” request. Calls are often from parents looking for advice or help with their “out of control” child. The Probation response may encompass a review of departmental services or resources available in the community.
(PINES) Personas que necesitan supervisión
Una persona que necesita supervisión es un joven menor de dieciocho años que muestra un patrón de desobediencia habitual, huida, violaciones del toque de queda, abuso de sustancias, comportamiento violento o problemas de ausentismo escolar. La mayoría de las referencias de PINS son hechas por los padres o los distritos escolares. Los Servicios de Desviación de PINS intentan resolver los conflictos que llevaron a un joven a la atención del Departamento de Libertad Condicional ofreciendo supervisión, orientación y referencias a recursos comunitarios. Se pueden hacer referencias para asesoramiento individual y/o familiar, mediación, programas de defensa juvenil, relevo o evaluaciones y oportunidades educativas o de empleo. Los oficiales de libertad condicional trabajan en estrecha colaboración con las escuelas para abordar los problemas de ausentismo escolar y/o problemas de comportamiento reunir con los maestros, abogando por las pruebas o los servicios de apoyo en la escuela y ayudando a los padres a desarrollar una mayor comunicación con la administración escolar. Los oficiales de libertad condicional dentro de la unidad del Tribunal de Familia están asignados a distritos escolares específicos y están presentes en esas escuelas semanalmente.
Delincuencia juvenil
The Tompkins County Probation Department also offers diversion services to youth issued a Juvenile Appearance Ticket by local police agencies. A Juvenile Delinquent is defined as a person over seven and less than sixteen years of age, who commits an act, which -- if committed by an adult -- would constitute a crime. The youth is required to write a letter of apology to the victim(s), complete community service, pay restitution [if applicable], attend a screening for Victim-Offender Conferencing, and remain law-abiding.