Q: Does a juvenile probation officer have the right to enter my home for an unannounced home visit w/o a parent being home
My 15 year old son currently has a juvenile case. He has made all his probation appointments and is doing everything the probation officer had asked him to do. Twice now the probation officer has done an unannounced home visit and entered my house without me being home. Does he have the right to enter my residence without an adult/parent being present?
A:
Probably not best practice for a number of reasons, but I believe if your son is home, the probation officer can visit at any time. Remember, probation is a grace granted by the court as an alternate to jail - or in the case of juveniles, detention.
I would mention this and your concerns to your son's attorney, who can hopefully talk with the probation officer or the judge about it. But generally unannounced home visits are part of the program and if you or your son don't agree with it, the judge may determine that detention may be a more suitable placement.
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