As I hurried up the imposing marble staircase to Circuit Court, I remembered with humor how I once thought that being part of the justice system, or anything to do with the field of practicing law, would be very boring. Oh, how wrong I was! Nowadays I look forward to being in the courtroom, with drama unfolding minute after minute, opposing attorneys jockeying for position in the case at hand, and being prepared for the challenge of anything and everything that could be thrown my way.
As a juvenile probation officer, there is never a dull moment. Whether doing an intake interview of a kid who was arrested for anything from underage drinking to attempted murder, or trying to comfort a mother who just can’t believe her perfect son is now using drugs, or being cross-examined in court by a defense attorney who’s trying to prove his juvenile client didn’t really violate the rules of probation; the job is forever providing another interesting twist or turn of events.
On the other hand, being a juvenile probation officer can prove to be frustrating at times. Sometimes kids have no remorse for their actions and probably never will. Occasionally, parents proclaim their child’s innocence even though they know, or at least have undeniable proof, that the kid is guilty beyond any doubt. And sometimes, no matter what you do, you can’t help a kid who really needs it. But even with what the challenges and uphill battles, there are always success stories to keep you going.
I was recently checking out my purchases at the local supermarket when the young lady who was the cashier recognized me. She thanked me profusely for helping her learn how to make better choices when I was her probation officer six years ago. She told me that she would always be thankful that I cared enough to help her make some positive changes in her life when she was a teenager, and now she has a full-time job and is taking night classes at the local university. The experience made my day, and reminded me that being a juvenile probation officer is not just about criminal justice.
When thinking about a career in the field of law or criminal justice, being a probation officer is one area that is interesting, inspiring, and stimulating. Even though there can be some frustrating moments, it is a rewarding job.