Probation

Overview

Benton County Probation is a State Contract Office that provides court services in Benton County. The goal of Benton County Probation and the Minnesota Department of Corrections is to make sure people who engage in unlawful behavior take responsibility for their actions, have a chance to change, and help make Minnesota safer while supporting victims.

Probation staff work toward this goal by:

• Building strong partnerships in the community
• Using proven methods that work
• Creating a respectful and inclusive environment
• Communicating clearly and effectively
• Using resources wisely

Note, for information on the jail, please visit the Sheriff's Office.

Responsibilities

Benton County Probation supervises both juvenile and adults who are charged with misdemeanors or gross misdemeanors.. Services include, but are not limited to:

• Checking for chemical-related problems
• Provide Bail Studies
• Helping place people in programs that match their needs
• Writing reports for the court for adult sentencings and juvenile dispositions
• Checking for domestic abuse issues
• Setting up electronic monitoring
• Reporting probation violations
• Giving updates on how people are doing
• Doing random drug tests

Additional services include:

• Restitution studies (figuring out what someone owes to a victim)
• Referring people to education or treatment programs
• Attending meetings at schools and residential programs
• Collecting restitution (money paid back to victims)
• Completing the Domestic Violence Inventory (a tool to assess risk in domestic abuse cases)
• Offer classes that help people improve their thinking and decision-making skills
• Give one-on-one support to help people change their behavior
• Diversion Programming for juveniles (Programs to help keep youth out of the court system)