Juvenile Probation

The Psychology and Substance Abuse Services (SAS) Division provides psychological services for juveniles who are under the care and supervision of the Fort Bend County Juvenile Probation Department. Psychological and SAS services focus on rehabilitating juveniles.  Staff provide services in the Fort Bend County Juvenile Detention Center, Probation Units, Juvenile Justice Alternative Education Program (JJAEP), Juvenile Leadership Academy (JLA) Residential Treatment Program, and Community Schools.

Additional information available:

• Psychological Services
• Substance Abuse Services
• Parent Education Seminar & Parent Support Group

Psychology and Substance Abuse Brochure

The Community Service Restitution (CSR) program is designed to assist juveniles in completing the community service hours they have been ordered to perform by one of the six county courts. The idea of “community service restitution” is for the offender to “give back” to the community some of the value that was taken by the offender committing an offense in that community. The community service restitution program serves as a liaison between the courts and the community by administering community service imposed as a condition of probation. The goal of the community service program is to assist the court in the administration of justice by coordinating the performance of community service by offenders to the mutual benefits of the courts, community agencies and the offenders.

Parents and juveniles must attend an orientation and acknowledge the dress code, non-liability of the department, and other rules that the juvenile is required to follow. Information is also provided to families, if the juvenile is allowed to perform his or her hours at an outside agency. However, there are certain types of offenders that are not allowed to perform hours outside the supervision of the Juvenile Probation Department.

The juveniles are supervised by Certified Juvenile Supervision Officers when performing hours with the Juvenile Probation Department. The officers are responsible for the safety of the juveniles as well as making sure assignments are completed as assigned. The officers transport the juveniles to designated work sites such as Public parks, Fairgrounds, Senior Citizen Agencies, and adopted roads. They ensure the work is done to the best of the juveniles’ ability. The types of duties consist of activity set-ups and clean up, washing county vehicles, painting, general cleaning, light landscaping, and trash pickup.

The CSR division also enables juveniles to “give back to the community” by participating in “Drives” that are held through the department. The drives are held 3 to 5 times per year, which during the allotted time allows juveniles to bring specific items and receive a one-time earning of eight hours, per drive. The items collected, such as nonperishable food items, school supplies, blankets, toys, or hygiene products are donated by the department to Fort Bend County schools, Food Banks, Senior Citizens Living Centers, CPS, Child Advocacy Agencies and Women’s Centers to assist underprivileged or needy families in the communities.

CSR Frequently Asked Questions                 CSR Frequently Asked Questions (Spanish)

CSR Project Rules                                               CSR Project Rules (Spanish)

CSR Hours Worked Log                                    CSR Hours Worked Log (Spanish)

CSR Non-Profit Approved List

The intent of this Resource List is to provide a listing of agencies within the Fort Bend County area. No attempt is made to pass judgment on programs or agencies by their inclusion or exclusion. The Fort Bend County Juvenile Probation Department and its staff are not responsible for services provided by any of the listed agencies.

Case Filed In Court
When the District Attorney files charges against a child, a probation officer initiates a court investigation. A conference is held with the parents, guardians and others involved with the child. After a detailed assessment of the child's behavior, home, school and social relationships, the Officer writes a predisposition report that is considered by the judge at the time of the disposition hearing. Several hearings take place prior to the disposition hearing.

First Appearance
Once charges have been filed against the child, the case is set for a first appearance in court. The child is expected to appear on the specified date with his parents and an attorney. The law requires that the child be represented by an attorney as cited in the Texas Family Code §51.10. If the parents have not retained an attorney, but are making an honest effort to retain one, the District Attorney will likely reset the case for a period of time in order for the parents to retain an attorney. If the family cannot afford to retain an attorney the court may appoint one after the family completes the required financial packet [PDF] and provides all of the required supportive documentation.

Announcement Hearing
Two or three weeks following the first appearance the case is set for an announcement hearing. During this appearance the defense attorney and the prosecutor will discuss the state's recommendation to the court. If an agreement between two sides is reached, a plea of true will be entered and a hearing will be set before the court within two weeks. Several announcement hearings may be conducted before reaching an agreement. If an agreement can not be made the hearing will be set for a trial, before either the judge or a jury.

Adjudication
In a court proceeding called an adjudication hearing, the juvenile accused of the crime, the juvenile's family and attorney appear before a judge or jury that will decide if the juvenile committed a delinquent act or conduct indicating a need for supervision. If a court finds that a person has engaged in delinquent conduct or conduct indicating a need for supervision, then the court must set a date and time for a separate disposition hearing.

Disposition
At the disposition hearing, the court may place the juvenile on varying levels of probation, place the juvenile in a private, state or local residential facility.

For certain serious offenses, the juvenile court also has the option of allowing the use of determinate sentencing. The determinate sentencing law allows a juvenile to be confined up to forty years. The first part of the sentence would be served in a Texas Juvenile Justice Division facility, followed by an optional court transfer to state prison. At the disposition hearing, the juvenile court may order the child and/or his parents or guardians to perform community service and/or pay restitution to the victim. Victims have the right to provide pertinent information about the impact of the offense on the victim and the victim's family.

Release Proceedings
At any time during placement, a juvenile may be eligible for release. This may be as a result of the juvenile's compliance with all court-ordered conditions, or an administrative decision to release the juvenile. Upon request, victims have the right to be notified when the juvenile is being considered for release.

Appeals
A juvenile has the right to appeal court decisions. The victim has the right to be informed of the status of the appeal process in the event that the juvenile determines to exercise that right.

Threats
If a victim is subjected to threats or intimidation, contact your local law enforcement agency.

Operation Motivation Day is a half day program that consists of four hours of strenuous mental and physical challenges.  A juvenile can be referred to this program by their assigned probation officer, the courts, or the district attorney’s office. This program is also open to the public.

A juvenile can be referred to the ALERT program by outside sources such as justice of the peace courts or by their parents at a fee of $55.00 fee. The juvenile will undergo serious mental and physical challenges throughout the day. The juvenile is to bring a sack lunch and wear appropriate clothing.

For information please contact:

Mariem Zaky
122 Golfview Drive
Richmond, Texas 77469
281-633-7310

The Crisis Intervention program is designed to take a proactive approach with juveniles who are on the abyss of falling into the juvenile justice system. The Crisis Intervention Officer receives referrals from parents, schools and law enforcement agencies requesting emergency intervention for juveniles who are “out of control”.

The Crisis Intervention Officer meets with the families, gather’s information concerning the child’s behavior and counsels with the child and family, explaining the laws regarding delinquent youth and detailing possible consequences for any further actions. If appropriate, referral resources are provided to the parents for psychological or substance abuse counseling. Tours of the facility are usually arranged to allow the juvenile to experience what detention is like.

Tours are also provided to interested groups within our community.

Download / Print

• Crisis Intervention [PDF]
• Crisis Intervention Spanish [PDF] 

Jerry Simon, Crisis Intervention Officer 
122 Golfview Drive 
Richmond, Texas 77469
Phone: 281-633-7400
Fax: 281-633-7344

Topics

Crisis Intervention

Truancy Reduction Program

Parent Education Seminar & Parent Support Group

Law Day 

Community Resource List

Expose to Excellence Youth Program

Mission Statement
Our mission is to rehabilitate delinquent children.  The Fort Bend County Juvenile Probation Department has adopted the attitude of "whatever it takes".  We, as an agency, are serious about turning young lives around and strive to do so in every department division and at every position level.  Professionalism, creative program development and implementation, juvenile and family accountability, all come together in a synergistic manner to give our clients the best possible opportunity to make a lasting positive change in their lives.

Matthew "Kyle" Dobbs
Executive Director
Chief Juvenile Probation Officer
122 Golfview Drive Richmond, TX 77469