Laura L. Bauer - Probation Director

Rensselaer County Probation Department : 270-8440
Contact: Laura L. Bauer, Probation Director
Provide probation related services to all criminal and family courts of Rensselaer County. Prepare pre-sentence and pre-dispositional reports and provides probation supervision for adults and juveniles. Provide coordinated intake and diversion services in conjunction with the Court Diversion Council.

Court Diversion Council : (518) 270-8440
Contact: Linda McMahon, Court Diversion Coordinator
A consolidation of four human service units, from Probation, Mental Health, Social Services and Youth, which provides coordinated assessment services of juveniles and families for Probation Intakes and Diversion programs.

Probation Intake and Diversion : 270-8440
Contact: Lisa Karam, Probation Supervisor
Provide a screening process of JD and PINS complaints filed by schools, parents or police. Objectives are to assess and mediate situations to avoid cases from proceeding formally in Family Court. Assessments are provided in coordination with the Court Diversion Council. Diversion Services are an intensive community based supervision intervention for JD and PINS complaints.

Probation Investigations (Adults & Juvenile) : 270-8440
Contact [Adult]: Clare Visk, Probation Supervisor
Contact [Juvenile]: Linda McMahon, Probation Supervisor
Pre-Sentence Reports, Pre-Dispositional Reports and Home Study evaluations are completed for Criminal and Family Courts by Probation Officers. Court ordered reports provide information primarily relevant for the purpose of court dispositions and contain legal and social histories.

Probation Supervision [Adult & Juvenile] : 270-8440
Contact [Adult]: Jody Ratigan, Probation Supervisor
Contact [Prob Alcohol Treatment]: Sonia Loomis, Probation Supervisor
Contact [Juvenile]:  Linda McMahon,  Probation Supervisor
Probation Officers supervise Probationers who are sentenced or placed on Probation by Criminal Courts and Family Court. This function actively monitors the Courts. The objectives of supervision are to provide public protection; prepare Probationers for independent and law-abiding community living. Specialized caseloads are targeted for qualified probationers for intensive supervision programs. They include the Probation Alcohol Treatment Program, Alternatively Sentenced Program, Community Treatment Program, Project Release Program and the School Two Diversion Program.

Probation Employment Program : 270-8440
Contact: Christine Miner,  Probation Officer 
PEP is designed to provide employment experience for youths 14-19 years old. Participants are placed in work experiences that match their interest and skills. They are required to be on probation and maintain regular school attendance while employed.

Pretrial Release Program / Day Reporting : 274-9159, Fax : 274-9231
Contact: Lisa Scott, Probation Supervisor 
This program seeks to provide universal screening to all defendants in the custody of the Rensselaer County Jail. Program objectives are to provide information to assist courts in making release decisions, reduce unnecessary pretrial detention and to minimize failure to appear in court by defendants. To provide coordinated and centralized probation services for probationers located at 403 Fulton St., Troy, NY.