Formal Juvenile Probation Features

• Formal juvenile probation is the more restrictive form of the sentence. Formal juvenile probation requires an offender to meet regularly with a probation officer and to complete certain requirements during the term of probation.
  
  

Informal Juvenile Probation Features

• A sentence of informal juvenile probation includes no regular monitoring of the offender. The offender must merely comply with the law and experience no further problems to complete the term.
  
  

Considerations

• The seriousness of the offense and the juveniles offender history dictates what type of probation is utilized.
  
  

Effects

• The effects of either type of probationary term is to protect the community and provide an appropriate level of services to the juvenile offender.
  
  

Expert Insight

• A violation of the terms of informal or formal probation potentially results in the revocation of probation and incarceration of the youth.