The Probation Juvenile Services Division’s Detailed Analysis for Fiscal Year 2016-2017 report has been published to the Judicial Branch Website and is available to the public.

The Nebraska Juvenile Probation System strives to provide a balanced approached to justice. While juvenile probation officers have a primary responsibility to hold youth accountable and enforce orders of the court, their overarching goal is to facilitate youth rehabilitation. Long-term public safety is more readily attainable through a combination of short-term accountability and rehabilitation.   

In coordination with judicial support, Nebraska juvenile probation is devoted to the successful futures of juveniles and their families. Families are empowered to be a part of the decision making process, which greatly aids the success of youth. Juveniles access necessary services, without barriers at all stages of the court process. This includes financial resources for services, both treatment and non-treatment.

Of significance, this year’s report notes a reduction in status offenses* resulting in supervision by probation. The status offense population has dropped from last year’s 835 to 586.  The report notes that the majority of the 586 offenses in FY 16-17 were for habitual truancy. In 2016 Juvenile Probation District 3J (Lancaster County) launched a new approach to truancy issues.  Traditionally, these youth have been handled in the exact same manner as those who have broken the law.  The district created a specialized truancy unit and probation officers were trained using a focused curriculum. Since implementation of this new approach to truancy, for these youth there has been a dramatic decrease in those needing to be placed out-of-home, the average time under court supervision has reduced, and marked improvement in family functioning and youth school outcomes are noted accomplishments.

The Juvenile Services Division report addresses the full spectrum of probation services including: probation intakes, offenses by type, investigations, assessments, dispositions, sanctions/violations, out-of-home placements, and discharges.

The full 14-page report can be found on the Judicial Branch Website: Juvenile Services Division Detailed Analysis Fiscal Year 2016-2017 

*In juvenile cases, a "status offense" involves conduct that would not be a crime if it were committed by an adult. In other words, the actions are considered to be a violation of the law only because of the youth's status as a minor. Common examples of status offenses include underage drinking, skipping school, and violating a local curfew law.