Youth Court

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Youth Court Overview

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Overview

Youth Court Services combines court and probation services for juvenile offenders in Blaine County with the juvenile hearings presided over by District Court Judge Yvonne Laird.

Juvenile probation is an integral part of the 17th Judicial District Youth Court Services and is overseen by the District Court Judge Yvonne Laird. The primary goal is to provide supervision of the juvenile offenders in the least restrictive environment where each case plan addresses the community’s protection, victim empathy, and competency development of the juvenile probationers. The youth is referred to a variety of services to include community service, counseling or vocational opportunities. 

Referrals

The Juvenile Probation Office receives referrals primarily from Law Enforcement agencies for violations of the law by juveniles. Referrals also come from parents and schools. Most referrals to the Youth Court’s juvenile probation office are in the form of a ticket accompanied by a report from law enforcement. Juvenile probation officers may handle any referral except traffic and fish and game violations, which fall under the jurisdiction of other courts.

 

Notice to Appear

The youth and their parent/guardian will be sent “Notice to Appear” letter for Intake Hearing. At the hearing, the youth and their parent/guardian will be advised of their rights and the alleged charges. Most youth will answer to the allegations against them through an “Informal Proceeding” with their parent/guardian before a Juvenile Probation Officer. If the youth admits to the facts of the particular charge, the Juvenile Probation Officer will decide on what avenue to take that is in the best interest of the youth with community protection in mind. However, if the youth denies the charge, the Probation Officer has no other alternative but to make a referral to the County Attorney’s Office for filing a Youth Court Petition and a formal hearing before the Youth Court.

In some cases, a “Formal” process is initiated whereby the referral is forwarded to the county attorney and a petition is filed charging the youth to be a delinquent youth or a youth in need of intervention. The Court will issue summons for the youth and their parent/guardian to appear before the Court at the “Initial Hearing”. If a private attorney cannot be secured, an attorney is provided the youth through the Public Defender’s Office. At the “Initial Hearing”, the Judge advises the youth of their rights and charges. The youth and their attorney will be asked if they are ready to enter a plea. If the youth and attorney decide to admit to the charges, the Probation Officer and County Attorney will make recommendations to the Judge concerning the disposition (final decision). Disposition hearing can be set for a later date. If the youth denies the charge, then a further hearing will be set.

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Juvenile Probation/Youth Court Services

17th Judicial District Youth Court Services
The Blaine County office is located on the lower level of the Courthouse in Room 53.

Hours: 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Chief Juvenile Probation Officer

Blaine County
Tina M. Mord
PO Box 1536
Chinook MT 59523
(406) 357-2369 (O)
(406) 945-1917 (C)
tmord2@mt.gov

Deputy Juvenile Probation Officer

Valley County

Kellie Parks

kellie.parks2@mt.gov 

(406) 228-6265

Deputy Juvenile Probation Officer

Phillips County

Parker Rapp

parker.rapp@mt.gov 

(406) 654-2087

Probation Program Assistant

Blaine County

Kirsten Matkin

kirsten.matkin@mt.gov

(406) 357-2369

Our Office

Blaine County Courthouse
420 Ohio St
Chinook, MT 59523

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Office Hours

Mon-Fri: 8am - 5pm
Sat-Sun: Closed

Bio coming soon.

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Deputy Chris Adair has been with the Blaine County Sheriff’s Office since August of 2012. Since then he has become the Field Training Officer, Firearms Instructor, Armorer, Deputy Coroner, and the Senior Operator for Blaine County’s breath alcohol testing equipment. He also is the DUI Task Force Coordinator. He lives in Chinook with his wife and 2 sons. Previous to living here they were residents of Flathead County.

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John Colby started his career in Law Enforcement with the Blaine County Sheriff's Department in 1996 as a Detention Officer/Dispatcher. In 1998 he began working with the Harlem Police Department where he served as a patrolman and later as the Chief of Police. In 2001 Harlem consolidated its law enforcement with the Blaine County Sheriff's Department and John Colby remained as a Deputy Sheriff. In 2002 John accepted a job with the Williston Police Department and served as a patrolman and later as a senior patrolman. In 2007 John left the Williston Police Department and went to work for Dyn-Corp in Konduz Afghanistan training the Afghanistan Nation Police. In March 2010 John was returned to Chinook and accepted a position as a Deputy Sheriff with the Blaine County Sheriff's Department. John was promoted to the Lieutenant of the Blaine County Sheriff's Department in 2012. John is one of the Taser Instructor's, Field Training Officer, K9 Handler, and was recently assigned to the Tri-Agency Drug Task Force. John and his wife Dawn have two children JJ, and Aspyn.

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Bio coming soon

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Bio coming soon

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Robo joined the Blaine County Sheriff's Office in October of 2013. He resides with his handler Sheriff John Colby.

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Deputy Levi Gonzalez joined the Blaine County Sheriff's Department in January 2018. Levi studied Criminal Justice at Utah Valley University and Excelled in courses such as Criminal Justice, Forensics, and Criminal Law. Along with some formal education, he has trained with professional firearms instructors, and in hand-to-hand combat, to help him pursue his career in law enforcement. He moved to Montana with his wife in March of 2013 and owns a small ranch in Blaine County where he runs a small cow/calf operation. He looks forward to serving Blaine County, where he is happy to call home, with his wife, daughter and son, for many years to come.

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