| Adult Court Services |
|
Adult probation is located in Room 103 of the Law and Justice Center, located at 104 W. Front Street in Bloomington Illinois,. The phone number is (309) 888-5360, fax (309) 888-5434 Adult probation is divided into two divisions - supervision and special programs. Dallas M. Lyle is the deputy director of the supervision unit, which
also includes the domestic |
| ADULT PROBATION |
|
It is the primary responsibility of the adult probation
unit to supervise adult offenders who have been court ordered onto a
term of probation. The supervision is conducted in the community by
meeting with the probationer on a regular basis in the probation office,
the probationer's home, or at their place of employment.
|
| DOMESTIC VIOLENCE UNIT |
|
It is the primary responsibly of the domestic violence unit to supervise offenders who have been convicted of a domestic violence offense and are sentenced to a term of court supervision, conditional discharge or probation. The unit monitors the defendant's compliance through the completion of a domestic violence evaluation and the adherence to any treatment recommendations. The unit also conducts quarterly domestic violence victim impact panels (DV/VIP). The offenders are court ordered to attend one panel session. Survivors of domestic violence speak to the offenders regarding how their actions affect others. McLean County is the only county in Illinois to provide such a panel, and one of only two in the nation. |
| Drug Court |
|
Drug court is a specialized problem-solving court for non-violent offenders with a substance abuse addiction and likelihood for rehabilitation. This unique criminal justice program provides for increased judicial supervision and accountability of the participants while providing immediate access to substance abuse treatment. Drug court participants must make regular court appearances before the designated drug court judge. The participants receive treatment, meet frequently with the drug court officer, submit to frequent drug tests, attend individual and group counseling for substance abuse and must attend 12 step meetings on a weekly basis. |
| ADULT INTAKE UNIT: |
| The Intake Officers conduct the initial orientation of all defendants who are sentenced by the Court to serve a term of probation. The Officers review the probation order in its entirety with the probationer, assuring that all conditions and obligations are fully understood. A thorough interview is conducted with the probationer to gather pertinent background information that is then used to compile a supervision plan and complete an assessment to determine an appropriate level of supervision -maximum, medium or minimum. The Intake Officer assembles the file and ensures that all appropriate case material and documentation is placed in the file, and the case is then assigned to a supervision officer to monitor for the duration of the probation term. |
| PRESENTENCE INVESTIGATION (PSI): |
| It is the primary responsibility of the PSI unit to provide the court
with written detailed pre-sentence investigation reports which assist
in determining an appropriate disposition. These reports are compiled after completing an in depth interview with the defendant and doing an investigation into their background. Verification of criminal history, education, employment, and treatment or counseling are examples of some of the information that is verified. Victims of offenses are also contacted for restitution information and to provide victim impact statements when applicable. |
| INTENSIVE PROBATION UNIT (IPS) |
| The IPS unit is to provide comprehensive aggressive daily supervision to a maximum of 40 high-risk adult felons as an alternative to costly penitentiary commitment. The probationer is placed in the IPS unit for one (1) year and in addition to the regular terms of probation must abide by a strict curfew, seek and maintain employment, participate in community service employment and submit to regular drug and alcohol tests to ensure they are drug free. |
| DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE UNIT (DUI) |
|
The primary purpose of the DUI unit is to provide services to an identifiable group of offenders who display a serious abuse of drinking and driving. The DUI unit monitors the probationer's alcohol treatment and makes appropriate referrals when warranted. Although offenders are referred to this unit due to a criminal violation, the unit's major emphases is to deter further abuse of alcohol and/or intoxicants by the offender for the protection of the community. The DUI unit conducts victim impact panels (DUI/VIP) for DUI offenders. DUI offenders are court ordered to attend one VIP which are held quarterly. The offender listens to a panel of DUI survivors as to the affects DUIs have had on their lives. The DUI unit works in conjunction with MADD to conduct these panels. |
| PUBLIC SERVICE |
| Public service is a sanction recognized in statute and ordered by the court on adult offenders as part of a disposition by the court in lieu of paying a fine or serving a jail sentence. The public service work is performed at not-for-profit agencies in the community in which the offender resides. It is the role of the public service officer to seek and maintain worksites throughout McLean County and to monitor the probationers while they are performing public service employment. |
| PUBLIC DEFENDER SCREENING |
| The two screeners in this program are responsible for interviewing offenders/defendants
and recommending or not recommending to the Court whether the services
of the Public Defender are appropriate based on financial guidelines.
The screeners attend custody hearings and are responsible for distributing
bond reduction questionnaires . The screeners act as a liaison between
the defendant and the Public Defender's office until the time of official
appointment. They inform the Public Defender's office of any pertinent
issues that may arise before arraignment. After recommendation, the screeners are responsible for preparing reimbursement orders to be signed by the judge, monitoring fees collected and recommending the waiver of fees in special circumstances. The screeners correspond with the defendants through billing letters reminding them of scheduled payments, and they keep records of all defendants appointed to the Public Defender's office. This program has a noticeable impact on the caseloads of the Public Defenders by eliminating numerous cases that do not meet income guidelines. |