Standard Probation

Individuals sentenced to standard adult or juvenile supervision/probation will meet regularly with a Probation Officer who will monitor the client’s Court-Ordered conditions. Over the course of the client’s sentence, he or she will attend office visits and home visits with their Officer, and complete Court-Ordered conditions, such as submit to random drug testing, substance abuse treatment, public service work, or mental health treatment. It is the Probation Officer’s job to report updates or violations to the Court, monitor Court-Ordered conditions, provide resources to client to assist with challenges they may be experiencing, and use evidence-based practices while working with their client.   A risk assessment is conducted by your Probation Officer that will help identify areas that your Officer will help you work on.  Based upon the risk assessment, clients may be directed to attend Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (Moral Reconation Therapy).  Our goal is to reduce recidivism and help clients stay out of the judicial system in the future.

Problem-Solving Courts

Information on specialty courts can be found through the 22nd Judicial Circuit's Office of Special Projects.

Juvenile Diversion

Illinois statutes allow for the practice of diverting certain first-time juvenile clients from the formal court process. This option requires cooperation from all parties who must sign an agreement for the juvenile to be assigned a period of informal supervision, with conditions, for up to one year. A successful completion allows the juvenile to avoid going to court for the offense. If you are placed on Diversion, you will meet with a Diversion Officer and will have to follow certain conditions set in place by the Diversion Officer.

If placed on Diversion, you may be subject to abide by certain conditions, such as office visits, counseling and attending a cognitive behavioral therapy group.

Important Considerations:

• New Arrests: If you are arrested while on Diversion, both the original and new charges will be addressed in juvenile court.
• Previous Participation: If you have previously been on Diversion or have a past adjudication, you cannot participate in Diversion again.
• Notification: The McHenry County State's Attorney's Office and local police will be informed of your participation in the program.
• If you have questions or concerns about your arrest record, please follow up with the Illinois statue 705ILCS 405/5-915 or call the office of the State Appellate Defender at 866-787-1776 or visit https://osad.illinois.gov/expungement.html.