Marin County
Probation Department
Juvenile Services Division

Kevin Lynch, Director

Intake/Investigations

This unit investigates all new referrals to the Department and determines if formal intervention is necessary or appropriate. Staff from this Unit conduct investigations and, when required, provide written reports to the Juvenile Court that include a summary of the child’s offense, a social study and recommendations for disposition.

For more information on this program, please contact Michele Boyer at mboyer@marincounty.org.

Supervision and Placement

Staff from this Unit supervise youth that are placed on probation, either formally (under 602 of the Welfare and Institutions Code) or informally (under 654 of the Welfare and Institutions Code). Probation officers are assigned to local schools and they provide supervision services such as ensuring compliance with probation conditions, notifying Juvenile Court of violations of conditions and providing assistance to victims of juvenile crime.

In addition, this unit provides supervision services to youth who have been placed into residential group homes by order of the Juvenile Court.

Juvenile Drug Court

This is a voluntary program in collaboration with the District Attorney, Public Defender and the Juvenile Court for youth with substance abuse problems.  Community based organizations in Marin County provide intensive drug and alcohol treatment to the youth and their families.  The Probation Department closely supervises the youth in this program, through contacts at their school, in their homes, and at the weekly Drug Court sessions, they are required to attend.

Electronic Monitoring

The electronic monitoring program is an alternative form of detention available to youth who have been ordered to serve time in custody. Youth selected for this program are monitored around the clock while they serve detention in their homes. This form of supervision allows youth to continue to participate in education, employment and/or treatment while they complete their commitment.

For more information on these programs, please contact Selina Johnson at sjohnson@marincounty.org.

Program of Responsive Treatment and Linkages (PORTAL)

This is a program serving minors with identified mental health needs.  The purpose of this program is to provide youth and families with resources to treat mental health issues in the community and through direct service provided by mental health professionals assigned to this unit.  Many of these youth only receive mental health services after they are detained in the Juvenile Hall and the goal will be to return them to their families and provide services in the home.

Victim Offender Reconciliation Program (VORP)

The philosophy of Restorative Justice, under which the Victim Offender Program operates, acknowledges that crime injures victims and their families, offenders and their families and communities. Crime victims are given an opportunity through the Mediation process to express their feelings and any concerns or issues regarding the crime. Offenders are held accountable for their actions and given the opportunity to make direct amends to the victim who has an opportunity to help determine how this may be accomplished. The process is directed by a skilled mediator with specialized training.

For more information on these programs, please contact Jeana Reynolds at jereynolds@marincounty.org.