Scenario

You were recently hired as a Juvenile Probation Officer for your state corrections department. After you complet your training period, your supervisor, Phil Scott, gives you your first solo case. Your first case provides details of the youth in question, the incident, as well as some additional information. The case report states the incident involves a 16-year-old individual, Adam Decker, who has a previous record involving a larceny charge when he was 14 years old. The previous incident was diverted due to Mr. Decker successfully completing a term of probation.

The current incident reveals that local law enforcement received a report of a suspicious vehicle, full of teenagers, parked near the local athletic field. As the officer pulled up to the vehicle, it sped off. The officer chased after the vehicle, to which it soon lost control and spun around while making a turn at a high rate of speed. Driving the car was Mr. Decker, who had three other teenagers in the car ranging from 15-17 years of age. As the law enforcement officer approached the vehicle, he saw Mr. Decker hide something under his car seat. When the officer arrived at the car, it smelled of marijuana. Although there was nothing visible, the smell alone allowed the officer reasonable suspicion to search the car. The officer ordered Mr. Decker to get out of the vehicle. Upon opening his door, the officer looked down to see a large rolled-up zip lock bag with what appeared to be marijuana hastily stuffed under the side of the car seat. The officer seized the marijuana (6 oz/170 gm) and charged Mr. Decker with a misdemeanor, speeding to elude arrest, possession of a Schedule I drug (considered a Class A misdemeanor crime based on the amount possessed), impaired driving, and driving by a person under age 21 after consuming drugs. The court, through petition, has recommended probation for Mr. Decker.

On your first visit to the home of Mr. Decker, you meet with him and his parents. You introduce yourself, discuss the ground rules as provided by the court (announced and unannounced visits, random drug tests, etc.), and set your expectations. While meeting with them, you learn a couple of other issues you will need to add to your report. You discover that Mr. Decker also struggles in school with poor attendance and behavioral issues. Mr. Decker has a diagnosis of ADHD.

You will have to complete, starting with a professional email and culminating with a letter to your supervisor, Phil Scott, your recommendations on explanations, theories, and other possible community-based programs for Mr. Decker and any additional support he may need.

Directions

Based on the information from the scenario, you will creat an email, a memo, and a report, and then writ a final letter for your supervisor of your findings. First, in your email, your supervisor, Phil Scott, wants to ensure you are familiar with the corrections personnel. Discuss and review the professionals you will encounter, their responsibilities, and their impact on your case. Secondly, you will creat a memo outlining different types of social risk factors for health and behavior problems, as well as providing at least one explanation. Thirdly you will writ a report to your supervisor outlining dispositional alternatives for juveniles, in general, and Mr. Decker, specifically if he is unable to turn his life around. Finally, you will writ a professional letter that will end with your recommendation as to which alternative, considering both institutional and residential options, should be considered as viable options for Mr. Decker.

Within all departments of the criminal justice administration, there are many players with different responsibilities that will interact with you and the individuals in your case. Knowing these professionals and their responsibilities is essential.

Your supervisor wants to know all the professional justice personnel he might encounter in the justice system. As a probation officer, you will be writing an email to indicate that you know the justice personnel you and your client will be interacting with during the trial process. Be sure your email has a greeting, body, and closing and does not include emoticons. Your email should convey a clear and concise message using professional language. Your email will also include a signature line featuring your full name and work title. Utilizing your lectures, course materials, and the virtual library, create your email using the following prompts:

Identify all of the professionals within the Justice system that you and your client will interact with during the trial process.

Discuss each Justice personnel's responsibilities.

Describe how they will impact/interact with your current case.