probation officer

In the comments section of an Austin American Statesman story titled “Drugs, mental health and the justice system” a reader who identifies himself as a former probation officer wrote:

Someone googled:

“Whose decision is it to put someone in jail if you fail a drug test while on probation?”

Well, if you fail a U/A while on probation, your probation officer will file a motion to revoke which causes paperwork asking that a warrant issues to be sent to the court for the judge’s signature.

On some minor violations the court will actually issue a summons instead of a warrant (at least in Austin) but most judges around here will authorize the warrant for a positive specimen.

Filed under ‘sad but true’ comes Stephen’s post at South Texas Defense on over-criminalization being one reason he practices in juvi court:

Fighting at school is a good example.

When I was growing up, if you got into a fight at school, you got detention (at school, not at a juvenile facility) or maybe, suspension.

Now, thirteen year-old kids are taken into police custody and end up in court.