A Message from Chief Juvenile Probation Officer, Christine Kowalski
Welcome to the 4th Judicial District, Missoula and Mineral County Youth Courts
As the Chief Juvenile Probation Officer for the 4th Judicial District, I want to personally welcome you and thank you for taking the time to learn more about the work we do within Missoula and Mineral County Youth Courts. I invite you to explore this website to learn more about our processes and the resources available the through Youth Court.
At the 4th Judicial District, which includes both Missoula and Mineral County Youth Courts, our approach is centered on supporting young people and their families through some of the most challenging moments in their lives. We believe that with the right guidance, every youth has the potential to grow, heal, and make meaningful contributions to their community. Our focus is not solely on consequences, but on creating opportunities for rehabilitation, accountability, and personal development.
We work closely with youth, families, schools, and other stakeholders to address the underlying issues that lead to court involvement—particularly mental and behavioral health concerns. By emphasizing informal interventions whenever appropriate, we strive to meet youth where they are, offering restorative solutions that build skills, reinforce strengths, and foster long-term success.
We do this by offering services which include but are not limited to individual counseling, family counseling, independent living skills, mental health evaluations, pro-social activities as well as organizations which provide mental health evaluations, crisis diversion and case management services. We work closely with Missoula County Public Schools engaging with the Truancy Program (K-5th Grade) and CSCT counselors.
Our mission is rooted in compassion and responsibility. We hold young people accountable for their actions while helping them develop the tools and insight they need to make healthier choices. Every decision we make is guided by a commitment to public safety, youth competency, and the well-being of our community. Our approach is rooted in restoration over punishment, and growth over labels. We believe in the potential of every youth, and we are committed to working collaboratively with families, schools, and community partners to support that potential. The safety of our community and the well-being of our youth are not opposing goals—they are deeply connected.
At Missoula Youth Court, our priority is to engage youth in the informal process whenever safely and appropriately possible. In fact, approximately 90% of youth involved with Missoula Youth Court are handled informally. This means they do not appear before a District Court Judge, they avoid a formal juvenile record, and—if they complete the informal process successfully—their files are destroyed when they reach the age of 18. The informal process provides a unique opportunity for young people to receive meaningful services, address behavioral and mental health needs, and build the skills necessary for long-term success. It also relies on the youth’s willingness to comply with the terms of their plan, the support of their family, and an assessment of their individual needs and the focus to protect our community.
The youth of our community deserve our most committed attention. I am very proud to have the opportunity to be the Chief Juvenile Probation Officer of Missoula Youth Court. Thank you for your interest in our work. Together, we can continue to build a system that not only responds to youth offenses, but supports youth transformation.
We value your interest and support in building a more compassionate and effective system for the youth of Missoula and Mineral County.
With appreciation,
Christine Kowalski