Special Programs Offered by the Probation Department
2nd 25th Judicial District CSCD & Juvenile Probation
PRE-TRIAL SERVICES:
Pretrial Services is a two-part program composed of pretrial bond release and pretrial diversion.
The Pretrial Bond Release Program involves the qualified, conditional release of defendants from jail prior to sentencing. While awaiting trial, defendants are supervised on a weekly basis, referred to various community resources and guided through the criminal process.
The Pretrial Diversion Program offers first time offenders a “second chance” by diverting them from the criminal justice process at an early stage. The offender must meet all criteria for placement in the program and can have no prior charges. Prior to a finding of guilt, the defendant agrees to be placed on a special probation for a period of one year for misdemeanor charges to two years for a felony charge. After the successful completion of the probation period and after all requirements are met, the defendant’s pending charges are dismissed. If the defendant fails to complete pre-trial diversion successfully, the pending charges are referred back to the court for adjudication.
PRE-SENTENCE INVESTIGATIONS:
Prior to sentencing, the probation department conducts pre-sentence investigations on all felony cases and on misdemeanor cases, if they are ordered by the court. These detailed reports present information for the sentencing Judge to consider in regard to the defendant's life and previous criminal behavior.
SPANISH SPEAKER'S PROGRAM:
The Spanish Speaker’s Caseload provides regular probation supervision for offenders whose primary language is Spanish. The officers for this caseload travel the district for court hearings and are responsible for pre-sentence investigations and supervision of Spanish speaking offenders.
SEX OFFENDER PROGRAM:
The Sex Offender Program is a specialized caseload that provides intensive supervision for both felony and misdemeanor offenders placed on probation for sexual offenses. The department contracts with sex offender treatment providers to obtain sex offender evaluations and outpatient counseling for these offenders. A specialized community supervision officer trained in sex offender law and its requirements supervises sex offenders throughout the district.
MENTAL HEALTH INITIATIVE CASELOAD (SPECIAL NEEDS CASELOAD):
The 2nd 25th Judicial District CSCD Special Needs Caseload provides intensive supervision to offenders who have been diagnosed with schizophrenia, major depression, bipolar disorder, or who are seriously impaired in their functioning due to a mental condition and have a Global Assessment Functioning (GAF) level of 50 or below. Services are provided throughout Lavaca, Gonzales and Colorado counties whether or not the corresponding Mental Health Authority has received TCOOMMI funding. A certified community supervision officer with specialized training in the area of mental health treatment provides supervision for a mixed caseload of not more than 40 offenders throughout the district.
TREATMENT ALTERNATIVE TO INCARCERATION PROGRAM (TAIP):
The Treatment Alternative to Incarceration Program (TAIP) provides screening, assessment, and referral for substance abuse treatment services to eligible offenders in the 2nd 25th Judicial District Community Supervision and Corrections Department. The department employs a Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor or Licensed Professional Counselor on staff to provide all outpatient treatment and also act as the TAIP Coordinator. Additionally, outpatient group counseling in Colorado County is provided by a Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor with whom the department has a contract for services.
RESIDENTIAL TREATMENT AFTERCARE PROGRAM:
The Residential Treatment Aftercare Program serves those offenders discharged from residential treatment. Offenders are court ordered to participate in this program as part of their conditions of probation. The officer in charge of each of the district’s three counties assumes the duties of aftercare officer supervising these offenders. In order to provide a smooth transition from placement to discharge, supervision by the aftercare officer begins when the offender is ordered into treatment. Contact continues while the offender is in treatment and the offender is discharged from treatment immediately into the aftercare program for supervision.
Aftercare out-patient group counseling is provided through contract vendors in each county of the district each week for a minimum of one hour. Up to three contract individual counseling sessions are provided for each offender by the vendor in the county where they are supervised.
