Probation and Court Services

The Livingston County Probation and Court Services Department provides both juvenile and adult probation services.

JUVENILE DIVISION

The juvenile division supervises minors referred by the Court; referrals are made for medical and mental health services, organized recreation, job placement, educational services, and services needed by family members of wards. Probation Officers act as a liaison between the Court and agencies to which minors are referred or through which they are placed, and when so appointed, serve as guardian of the person of a ward of the Court. Services are also provided towards and probationers of courts from other counties or jurisdictions who have lawfully become local residents.

The juvenile division also provides juvenile intake screening services. The intake screening process begins when a police report alleging commission of an offense by a minor is forwarded to Court Services. A Probation Officer meets with minor and family, and makes contact with victims, Police Officers, and representatives of other involved agencies, to provide the State’s Attorney with complete information, so that an appropriate prosecutorial decision can be made. An emphasis is placed on providing the same services to the minor/family/victim without Court intervention, by diversion if possible, through a voluntary supervision program (Juvenile Pre-Trial Supervision).

The juvenile division also conducts two specialized programs for youthful offenders. The Cognitive Skills Program is a group counseling program for high-risk male juvenile offenders designed to address cognitive, or thinking/ reasoning deficits, with a goal of reducing recidivism. The Gender Responsively Program is a program of self-discovery and empowerment, designed to encourage girls and young women to find and express themselves. Interactive exercises are utilized to help the girls develop a positive sense of self, build healthy relationships, promote physical and emotional awareness, make appropriate decisions regarding sexual activity, avoid substance abuse, and plan for a positive future.

ADULT DIVISION

Services provided by the probation officers of the adult division include the completion of pre-sentence investigations for those defendants facing felony sentencing, providing written reports to the Court of any previous convictions for crimes, as well as the specific personal history of the defendant. The adult division also watches over all persons placed on probation under such terms as may be prescribed by the Court; to develop and operate reasonable programs for any person placed on probation or supervision; and to take charge of a probationer who has been transferred to the county the same as if the case had originated in the county, and to report, in writing, the progress of the probationer to the originating county.

This office is also responsible for a community service program. The community service program serves both juvenile and adult offenders as ordered by the court, as an agreement to the voluntary program, or as an administrative sanction. This provides the judicial system with alternatives to sentencing the offenders.

Electronic Monitoring of certain adult / juvenile offenders placed on home confinement is another responsibility of the department.

REFERRAL PROCESS

Law enforcement agencies, schools, other social agencies and the community may make referrals to this office.

Resource Directory

STAFF / TITLE
Michael J. Shaughnessy – Director/Chief Probation Officer

SUPERVISOR
Ron R. Baker - Adult & Juvenile Supervision / Cognitive Program

SENIOR PROBATION OFFICERS
Ramona G. Beasley – Adult & Juvenile Supervision / Transfer Cases
Scott R. Spray – Adult & Juvenile Supervision
Mark T. Salata – Adult & Juvenile Supervision

PROBATION OFFICERS
Heidi J. Zeidenstein – Adult & Juvenile Supervision / Gender Program
Joseph L. Cleary – Adult & Juvenile Supervision
Deanndre L. Gabor – Juvenile Intakes / Cognitive Program
Billie Jo Henson – Pre-Sentence Investigation Officer / Gender Program
Erick S. Mund – Adult & Juvenile Supervision / Electronic Monitoring
Kelli M. Verdun

SUPPORT STAFF
Karen L. Hicks - Administrative Assistant
Kathryn R. Oestmann – Office Assistant