Formal Court Process and Outcomes

Process

The objective of those who process cases through Juvenile Services is to screen, review, interview, make recommendations for hearings and deal with the large volume of referrals made to the juvenile division. Every attempt is made to ensure the due process rights of clients are protected and each client is treated with dignity. The following is the formal court process:

  • Complaint initiated by law enforcement
  • Prosecutor determines charges
  • Court determinesinformal (consent) or formal processing
  • Court staff set a hearing or intake assessment
  • Attorney appointed upon request or if parent is victim
  • Pretrial conference scheduled if attorney appointed or charge denied
  • Cases not resolved at pretrial set for trial
  • Finding of guilt or admission may result in temporary wardship
  • Assigned caseworker makes dispositional recommendations based on family and community needs assessment
  • Order is entered by court after consideration of recommendations by all parties
  • Court authority over the parent and juvenile continues until discharge order is entered

Court Outcomes/Possible Dispositions

Once a juvenile entesr into the court system, there are many possible court outcomes that may occur. If placed on probation the judge may order any or all of the following (list may not be all inclusive):

  • Warning and dismissal of a charge
  • Probation
  • Community Service (self-directed or supervised)
  • Probation Groups
  • Driver's license sanctions
  • Restitution/apology to victim
  • Mediation
  • Seek/maintain employment
  • Court imposed curfews
  • Counseling/testing
  • Search of person, property and living area
  • Drug testing if all juveniles on probation through random testing at home, school or court programs
  • Foster Care
  • Detention
  • In home detention/tether
  • Intensive Supervision Program (ISP)
  • Residential treatment
  • Asset building groups
  • Fees, fines and costs
  • Substance abuse treatment
  • Juvenile Community Justice
  • Juvenile Justice Institute
  • Waiver to adult system
  • Juvenile Drug Treatment Court
  • Sex offender registration
  • Sex offender treatment
  • Parental Cooperation with all of the above