Probation and parole officers are in a precarious position. The nature of their profession often requires them to straddle the borderline between respect for, and violation of, the rights of probationers and parolees. Therefore, States and government agencies which employ them have a duty to provide some measure of protection for those officers who face lawsuits arising from the performance of their duties. By the same token, legislators and judges should be sensitive to the delicate nature of the probation and parole officer's position. The gray areas of the law should be eliminated by judicial decisions and legislation which provide clearer guidelines to these officers to follow. A total of 78 case notes are included. (Author summary modified)