Section 88. Every court appointing probation officers may employ such clerical assistance as it deems necessary to keep, index and consolidate the records required to be kept by probation officers and for such other work in connection with its probation service as the court may determine. The compensation for such service, together with such other necessary expenses as the court shall incur in connection with such work, shall be paid by the commonwealth upon vouchers approved by said court.

Terms Used In Massachusetts General Laws ch. 276 sec. 88

  • Probation: A sentencing alternative to imprisonment in which the court releases convicted defendants under supervision as long as certain conditions are observed.
  • Probation officers: Screen applicants for pretrial release and monitor convicted offenders released under court supervision.
  • Trial: A hearing that takes place when the defendant pleads "not guilty" and witnesses are required to come to court to give evidence.

The administrative justices for the district court and juvenile court departments, in consultation with the commissioner of probation, may designate and redesignate such divisions thereof, including in such term the Boston juvenile court, the Worcester juvenile court, the Bristol county juvenile court and the Springfield juvenile court, within each of the counties of the commonwealth as in the opinion of said administrative justices should join in the establishment of a probation district office for the clerical service of the probation officers of the divisions thereof so designated or redesignated and said divisions so designated or redesignated shall thereupon consult with the court administrator of the trial court and the commissioner of probation as to the establishment of such a probation district office, and shall join in the employment of such clerical assistance as is necessary to keep, index and consolidate the records in such form as may be required by the commissioner of probation in connection with the probation service of the said courts. The compensation for such service, together with such other necessary expenses as the courts shall incur in connection with such work, shall be paid by the commonwealth upon vouchers approved by one of the justices of said courts, designated by said administrative justices.