The Probation Process

If a defendant pleads guilty, no contest, or is found guilty at trial, the judge may request a pre-sentence investigation from the Probation Department. To compile this investigation, the Probation Officer interviews the defendant (and the defendant's parent or guardian in juvenile cases), reviews criminal history and personal background information, contacts the victim(s) if restitution is involved, and provides sentencing recommendations to the judge. Based on this information, the judge may sentence the defendant to probation for up to one year.

The Probation Officer is responsible for monitoring and ensuring compliance with the conditions ordered by the judge. Failure to comply with these terms and conditions may result in further court action, which may include the imposition of suspended fines or jail time. Juveniles may be sentenced to detention for failing to comply with court orders.

A probation sentence may include one or more of the following conditions:

Fines and Court Costs
Probationers are responsible for the payment of fines, fees, and court costs imposed in their case. Depending on the type of offense, the maximum fine the judge can impose is $999. All probationers have the option of performing community service in lieu of paying fines, costs, and fees.

Jail/Detention
Depending on the type of offense, the judge has the authority to order the probationer to serve a jail sentence. Additionally, probationers who are found in violation of probation for failing to comply with the terms and conditions of their sentence may be found in contempt of court and sentenced to jail or detention.

Home Detention
If a violation of probation occurs, a juvenile probationer may be sentenced to home detention. This intermediate sanction requires the probationer to wear an electronic ankle bracelet that monitors and ensures the probationer's whereabouts. If the probationer moves outside the range of his or her home, the probation officer is immediately notified, and the probationer is subject to further court action.

Community Service
The court does require adult and juvenile probationers to comply with mandatory community service hours, and all probationers have the option of performing community service in lieu of paying fines, costs, and fees. Community service MUST be performed at non-profit, charitable agencies. All juveniles 17 years of age and younger are required to perform community service hours through the Probation Departments supervised community service work program. Probationers 18 years of age and older are allowed to select their own community service agency. A list of non-profit agencies and city departments that utilize the community service work program is available on this Web site.

Life Choices Educational Classes
Probationers age 25 and under may be required to attend court mandated classes presented by the Street Beat program, designed to help young people set goals and be successful. A one day general offender program presented by ISAE is offered to probationers 26 and over and in some cases for first time juvenile offenders. This class encourages participants to examine the decision-making process that led to their offenses and teaches positive life skills. This class is also offered in Spanish.

Counseling
Probationers who are assessed to be experiencing mental health issues and/or substance abuse issues may be required to comply with court-ordered counseling and treatment. Counseling services are available privately or through county agencies. Juvenile probationers who present substance abuse issues can be referred to a weekly Substance Education Group (SEG) that the department currently contracts with.

Restitution
In cases involving victims (excluding traffic violations), the court may order the probationer to compensate the victim(s) for out-of-pocket losses. A total of $8,805 was collected in the form of restitution in 2011.

Drug Urinalysis and Breathalyzer Tests
Probationers who are assessed to be experiencing substance abuse issues may be required to submit to random drug urinalysis and alcohol breathalyzer tests. Testing is administered by several local vendors in Longmont.

If you have any other questions, please contact the Longmont Municipal Probation Department (303-774-4744) or the Longmont Municipal Court (303-651-8688).

Some principles for growth explored in our Street Beat education program:

1. A great leader comes along once in a lifetime. Great problems come two to three times a week.

2. Learn to say no to the bad so you can say yes to the best.

3. Ninety-five percent of achieving is knowing what you want, and being willing to pay the price to get it.

4. A person who wants to lead the orchestra must turn his back to the crowd.

5. People and rubber bands have one thing in common: They must be stretched to be effective.

6. There are two quick ways to disaster: taking nobody's advice and taking everybody's advice.

7. People tend to stay motivated when they see the value of the things they do.

8. We cannot expect people to do the right thing unless they know the right thing to do.

9. We all have motivation. We just sometimes forget to use it.