§ 16-13-327 - Probation officers.
16-13-327. Probation officers.
(a) Each juvenile division of circuit court shall be provided with no fewer than one (1) probation officer to manage the probation services and needs of the court.
(b) Each probation officer shall:
(1) Be an employee of the judge or judges of the circuit court designated to hear juvenile cases in the district plan under Arkansas Supreme Court Administrative Order Number 14, originally issued April 6, 2001; and
(2) Serve at the pleasure of the judge or judges.
(c) (1) A probation officer:
(A) Shall be certified as a juvenile probation officer according to the laws of this state;
(B) Must complete initial certification requirements within one (1) year of the officer's employment; and
(C) Must maintain the certification during the terms of his or her employment.
(2) The Juvenile Intake and Probation Officers' Certification Committee, composed of juvenile officers and judges of the circuit court designated to hear juvenile cases in their district plan under Arkansas Supreme Court Administrative Order Number 14 originally issued April 6, 2001, and staffed by an employee of the Administrative Office of the Courts, shall establish certification standards for intake and probation officers.
(3) The office shall collect and maintain records for the juvenile officers' certification documentation.
(d) (1) (A) The salary of the probation officer shall be paid by the county or counties in which the probation officer works.
(B) Except as provided in subdivision (d)(3) of this section, the state shall pay a portion of the salary of a full-time probation officer:
(i) Who is certified according to the laws of this state; and
(ii) Whose salary has been paid by the county or counties for a period of one (1) year.
(2) The portion to be paid by the state shall be the lesser of:
(A) Fifteen thousand dollars ($15,000) per year; or
(B) One-half (1/2) the probation officer's average salary as calculated over the last twelve (12) months.
(3) For reimbursement under the requirements of this subsection, the state shall reimburse a county only for salaries paid to the number of probation officers that:
(A) Meet the requirements of subdivision (d)(1) of this section; and
(B) Do not exceed two hundred fifty (250) positions authorized by the counties for probation and intake officers, subject to state funding.