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Probation Services
Henry Wade Juvenile Justice Center - 2600 Lone Star Drive, Dallas, TX 75212
Phone: (214) 698-2200
![]() | Rudy Acosta Deputy Director |
The Probation Services Division sees that youth receive the best services to meet their unique needs while they are involved with the justice system. Probation Services works with youth throughout the adjudication process. Trained professionals called Probation Officers ensure that youth receive needed services beginning at intake, through court, and (if found true) while on probation. These services are delivered with or without formal court intervention, depending on the nature of the offense, the background of the youth, the community safety issues impacted by that child’s behavior, and the needs of the victims of any offenses. Probation is an option that a Juvenile Court Judge has after a youth is adjudicated as delinquent (found true of the committing the offense charged). While on probation, a youth must follow rules and regulations called conditions. These conditions address the needs of the youth and family and encourage future success. A Probation Officer is assigned to each youth. Probation officers guide youth throughout their probation to ensure that the youth meets each condition and exit the juvenile justice system. Special probation programs address unique needs for youth and their families.
Placement Services unit serves youth who have been recommended for a residential placement. Residential placement sites are an out-of-home residential program for youth needing various treatment services. Probation officers assess the treatment needs for referred youth and facilitate the appropriate match for these youths with various placement providers with whom we contract. Probation officers in this unit also provide case management for all youth in out-of-home placement, as well as those youth in our department-operated residential programs. Staff keeps in consistent contact with youth in placement, and also with their parent or guardian to whom these youth will return upon completion of placement. They monitor progress, communicate with residential staff to ensure that programming is in place to meet the child’s needs, and engage parents in any necessary services to prepare for the eventual re-entry of the child back home upon successful discharge.
Community Service Resititution
Youth placed on probation or in a diversion program must complete a set amount of hours of community service. Community service sites must be approved by the Dallas County Juvenile Board. Please contact a probation officer to find out what community service options are available.
Court assessment officers guarantee that the Dallas County Juvenile Department recommends to the court the best possible solution for the youth, family and community. A Court Assessment officer interviews the youth, family, school officials, victims, police and others in order to build a well-rounded picture of the youth. The officer creates a written report that includes recommendations on the best solution for the court to consider when they decide the case.
The Court Liaison staff represents the Juvenile Department’s recommendations for each juvenile’s case in every court session, including detention hearings and pre-trials.
Each Court Liaison officer studies the probation officer’s and assessment officer’s report before Court in preparation for all questions asked or issues raised. Following the hearing, these officers review the Court’s finding with the youth and their parent/guardian and address any concerns and questions that they may have.
Deferred Prosecution is a non-judicial early intervention program frequently utilized with low-risk, first time offenders.
The Deferred Prosecution unit provides necessary services to youths and families aimed at preventing further progression of these minor offenders into the juvenile justice system. Youth and families agree to complete an individualized service plan that will keep the youths from having to appear in Court for their offense. Deferred Prosecution agreements typically include voluntary participation in counseling services, restitution agreements or other community interventions that can meet the specific needs of the youth without a formal period of court-ordered probation.
Youth who are court-ordered to field probation are assigned to a probation officer that maintains an office in their community. Probation officers maintain positive communication with youth, their families, and other stakeholders. They also act as investigators, advocates, role models, counselors, and service brokers in their mission to divert youth from further court involvement and to keep the community safe. There are nine district field offices located throughout Dallas County.
Youth referred for Probation Services are assigned to a field office and a probation officer based on their home address. Click here to find the correct field probation office based on zip code.
Field Probation offices are located throughout Dallas County.
DISTRICT 1 - NORTH DALLAS
6820 L.B. Johnson Fwy
Dallas, TX 75240
Main Number: 214-904-3100
FAX: 214-904-3133
DISTRICT 2 - EAST DALLAS
12970 Pandora Drive
Dallas, Texas 75238
Main Number: 214-589-7902
FAX: 214-319-7276
DISTRICT 3 - GARLAND
140 N. Garland Avenue
Garland, TX 75040
Main Number: 214-643-4800
FAX: 214-643-4801
DISTRICT 4 - MESQUITE
3939 East Highway 80, Suite 101
Mesquite, TX 75150
Main Number: 214-589-7651
FAX: 214-681-6459
DISTRICT 5 - PLEASANT GROVE
7819 Lake June Road
Dallas, Texas 75217
Main Number: 214-583-6530
FAX: 214-583-6549
DISTRICT 6 - SOUTHEAST
414 S.R.L. Thornton Freeway, Suite 100
Dallas, TX 75203
Main Number: 214-860-4440
FAX: 214-860-4449
DISTRICT 7 - SOUTHWEST
414 S.R.L. Thornton Freeway, Suite 100
Dallas, TX 75203
Main Number: 214-860-4410
FAX: 214-860-4448
DISTRICT 8 - GRAND PRAIRIE
106 W. Church Street, Suite 115
Grand Prairie, Texas 75050
Main Number: 214-751-4100
FAX: 214-751-4115
DISTRICT 9 - IRVING
1425 W. Pioneer Drive, Suite 201
Irving, Texas 75061
Main Number: 214-589-2400
FAX: 214-637-6541
The Home Detention Unit is an alternative to detention initiative where youth who would likely remain detained until they appear in Court are instead released home under very strict supervision. Home detention officers rigorously maintain contact with youth via multiple weekly face-to face contacts, home visits, and curfew checks. Home Detention generally lasts for thirty days, or until the youth’s case is disposed of in Court. The Juvenile Department also utilizes the Home Detention program with probationers who are having technical non-compliance violations of their probation conditions. Once back on track with compliance, Home Detention ends and these youth continue to be monitored as before on regular probation.
Intake Screening is the first formal stage in the juvenile justice system. Law enforcement bring youth directly to the intake screening area in the Dr. Jerome McNeill Jr. Detention Center. This unit operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to process all youth referred by law enforcement agencies or the Courts. Intake provides a recommendation to detain or release the youth based on the circumstances of the presenting offense/referral and the statutory guidelines of the Texas Family Code. Parents and guardians are informed that their child has been detained and what the next steps are. If the recommendation is for the youth to be detained, all relevant information is compiled for judicial review at the next Initial Detention Hearing.
- Evening Reporting Center (ERC) –is a juvenile justice program that offers an alternative to detention for referred male youth throughout Dallas County. The youth involved in program participate in educational activities, recreational programming, independent living, emotional and social skills.
- The staff provides well-supervised activities and education to fourteen to seventeen (14-17) year old males four (4) days a week (Monday – Thursday) between the hours of 4:00pm to 8:00pm. Participants will be involved in the program for twenty eight (28) days (6 weeks).