Supervisory Structure

Missoula Youth Court probation personnel are employees of the State of Montana and serve under the direction of the State Supreme Court. The Supreme Court also exists as the funding entity for these services. Youth Court employees are supervised locally by the five Judges comprising the Fourth Judicial District.

Staff

Staff at the Youth Court Probation Department consists of the five district judges: Judge R.L. "Dusty" Deschamps, Judge John Larson, Judge Leslie Halligan, Judge Shane Vanatta, and Judge Jason Marks. The title "Chief Juvenile Judge", rotates among the five on an annual basis.

Chief Probation Officer Christine Kowalski supervises probation and support services staff. Deputy Probation Officers are divided into two categories: Hearing Officers (Kelly Norton and Terry White); and Direct Supervision Officers (Sam Mendoza, Steve Everett, Brantley Curtiss, and Luke Bewley who also serves as Restitution Officer). Chief Kowalski also serves as the primary Out-of-home Placement Officer. Murray Pierce supervises Youth Court’s Home Arrest Program. Home Arrest Officers are Tim Baumgartner and Jaiger Allen.

 Sara Arno heads our Office Support Staff.