THE COLEBROOK JUDICIAL DISTRICT, N.H., HAS A WIDELY-SCATTERED POPULATON OF ABOUT 9,000. THE LARGEST POPULATON CENTER IS BERLIN, THE LOCATION OF THE DISTRICT OFFICES OF THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF PROBATION AND OTHER STATE AND COUNTY OFFICES. BERLIN IS 50 MILES FROM COLEBROOK, AS IS LANCASTER, THE COUNTY SEAT. BECAUSE OF THE LARGE DISTANCES AND SPARSE POPULATION, STATE PROBATION OFFICERS ENCOUNTERED MANY PROBLEMS SUPERVISING JUVENILE OFFENDERS. THE GRANT ORIGINALLY ENVISIONED A PART-TIME PROBATION OFFICER. HOWEVER, LACK OF QUALIFIED PERSONNEL AND BUDGET CONSTRAINTS MEANT THE POSITION HAD TO BE REDEFINED AS A COURT AIDE. ORIGINALLY THERE WAS CONFUSION CONCERNING THE AIDE'S COUNSELING WITH JUVENILE OFFENDERS. THIS WAS WORKED OUT AND THE AIDE'S DUTIES HAVE BEEN RECAST TO LIMIT THEM TO GATHERING INFORMATION, SERVING SUMMONS, MAINTAINING RECORDS, AND LOCATING YOUTH. HOWEVER, SCHOOL AND POLICE OFFICIALS HAVE BEEN USING THE AIDE'S SERVICES INFORMALLY BECAUSE HE HAS AN ABILITY TO 'GET THROUGH TO YOUNGSTERS.' IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT THE AIDE'S COUNSELING DUTIES BE INCREASED AND THAT, IN ADDITION, HE BE EMPOWERED TO REPRESENT THE PROBATION DEPARTMENT IN THE HANDLING OF MINOR OFFENDERS. A SECTION OF THE DOCUMENT TRACES THE CHANGE IN ATTITUDE OF COURT AND PROBATION OFFICIALS FROM ONE OF SUSPICION TO ONE OF TRUST, DUE TO THE AIDE'S EXCELLENT JOB REFERENCES. BECAUSE OF THE UNIQUE NATURE OF THIS POSITION, FULL DOCUMENTATION OF THE AIDE'S ACTIVITIES ARE URGED. (GLR)