About

Introduction

The Juvenile Probation Services (Y.P.S.) were established in 1976 under Law 378/1976. Their operation is regulated by Presidential Decree 49/1979, which also defines the duties of the Juvenile Probation Officer.

They constitute regional services of the Ministry of Justice and operate at the seat of each Court of First Instance within the framework of the Juvenile Courts. They are supervised by the Directorate of Human Resources and Organization, Department of Support Functions of Justice (Article 15, Presidential Decree 6/2021).

The Services are staffed by social professionals from various academic disciplines. Regardless of their specialization, however, they perform the same duties and responsibilities.

The Juvenile Probation Officer works with juveniles who have committed acts that are subject to criminal prosecution and are tried before the Single-Member Juvenile Court or the Three-Member Juvenile Court.

Cases referred to the Juvenile Probation Services fall into the following categories:

  1. Regular court hearings.
  2. Diversion from criminal prosecution.
  3. Investigating Judge's orders.
  4. Cases referred by other courts (juveniles whose cases are tried in the geographical area where the offense was committed, but whose supervision is undertaken by the competent Juvenile Probation Service according to their place of residence).
  5. Prevention cases, where the juvenile has not exhibited delinquent behavior but there is a significant risk that he or she may become involved in such behavior.

 

Competence

The territorial jurisdiction of the Athens Juvenile Probation Officers Department coincides with that of the Athens Court of First Instance, in accordance with the applicable legislation.