Page 28 - Department Overview 2020

JUVENILE SERVICES DIVISION

The Home Supervision Program offers a cost-effective alternative to housing
youth in a secure environment. It allows youth to remain with their families with

additional supervision and the opportunity to take advantage of community
interventions and programs.

SEALING OF RECORDS

A juvenile record may be sealed by the Juvenile Court when a youth’s case is

closed successfully or when a youth applies to have it sealed. Specific violent or
aggravated offenses may preclude a record from being sealed if the youth is
under the age of eighteen (18). In cases not sealed automatically, the Deputy
Probation Officer (DPO) conducts an investigation into the behavior of the youth
since the last Court action and submits a written report and recommendation to

the Court regarding the record-sealing request. There are no fees to any person
for the sealing of juvenile records. This includes adults age twenty-six (26) and
over who are seeking to seal their juvenile records. All agencies maintaining any

record of the juvenile client must destroy or delete information pertaining to that
youth when the Court orders the case sealed.

SUPERVISION

Youth who are placed on probation are supervised by Deputy Probation Officers
(DPOs) in the office closest to their residence. DPOs collaborate closely with
youth, family members, educators, treatment providers, and other persons or

agencies involved with the youth. DPOs refer youth to various community-based
programs or services based on their needs. DPOs contact youth at their homes,
schools, offices, programs, and in the community. Case plans are developed that

address youth and family needs while taking advantage of existing strengths.
DPOs target their interventions to the greatest risk and needs factors. This
evidence-based and strength-based approach seeks to bolster rehabilitative
efforts, change behaviors, and deter youths from re-offending. Juvenile
probationers are required to obey the Court and their assigned DPOs. They may

be required to submit to search of their person and property, and drug and
alcohol testing. Probation terms are intended to keep youth from engaging in
illegal or high-risk behaviors and encourage pro-social behavior. Youth who

violate the conditions of their probation or commit new law offenses can be
returned to court. Youth may also be required to pay fines and/or restitution to
victims or complete community service work hours.

Santa Barbara County Probation Department Overview 2020 26