THE CITIZENS PROBATION AUTHORITY (CPA) ACCEPTS REFERRALS DIRECTLY FROM THE PROSECUTOR'S OFFICE, SUBJECTS THE POTENTIAL CLIENTS TO A 23-DAY SCREENING AND INTAKE PROCEDURE, AND PROVIDES ACCEPTED CLIENTS WITH APPROPRIATE REHABILITATIVE SERVICES. WHEN THE CLIENT SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETES THE CPA PROBATION TERM (4 MONTHS FOR SHOPLIFTERS, 1 YEAR FOR OTHER PROPERTY OFFENDERS), CPA RECOMMENDS TO THE PROSECUTOR THAT THE CLIENT BE TERMINATED FROM CPA PROBATION. SUCCESSFUL TERMINATION RESULTS IN THE DISMISSAL OF CRIMINAL CHARGES. THE PROGRAM PROVIDES AN INTENSIVE GROUP COUNSELING PROGRAM FOR SHOPLIFTERS. DURING GROUP MEETINGS, CLIENTS AND COUNSELORS DISCUSS VALUES CLARIFICATION, BUDGETING, ALCOHOL INFORMATION, BEHAVIOR CHOICE DECISIONS, AND THE CONSEQUENCES OF SHOPLIFTING. CLIENTS REFERRED FOR MORE SERIOUS PROPERTY OFFENSES MEET WITH THEIR ASSIGNED CASEWORKER ONCE EVERY 2 WEEKS, FULFILL OTHER REQUIREMENTS OF THEIR PROBATION (ATTENDING SCHOOL, WORKING, ATTENDING SPECIAL WORKSHOPS), AND PAY RESTITUTION TO THEIR VICTIMS. OVER A 3-YEAR PERIOD, 87 PERCENT OF CPA CLIENTS SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETED THE PROGRAM. SPECIAL FEATURES OF THE PROGRAM INCLUDE EMPHASIS ON EMPLOYMENT, THE RESTITUTION REQUIREMENT, THE USE OF STUDENT INTERNS AND CITIZEN VOLUNTEERS, AND A MODIFIED MANAGEMENT-BY-OBJECTIVES EVALUATION SYSTEM. PROGRAM OPERATIONS FOR 1976 AND PRECEDING YEARS ARE DESCRIBED, AND A COST-BENEFIT ANALYSIS IS REPORTED. SUPPORTING DATA ON CLIENTS, COSTS, AND PROGRAM OPERATIONS ARE PROVIDED.