Juvenile Court Process

Information about court appearance expectations and delinquent or unruly case procedures.

If You Are Scheduled for Court

Please arrive promptly at your scheduled time. Appropriate attire is required.
All persons summoned into Court must be clothed in a proper and respectable manner.

Shorts, tank tops, inappropriate or revealing shirts, midriff or cutoff tee-shirts,
baggy or sagging jeans, and informal clothing are not acceptable. Hats and sunglasses
may not be worn in the courtroom. No food or drinks may be brought into Court.

All juveniles must bring their Social Security number, birth certificate, and operator’s
license with them on all cases. Parents may be asked to show identification.

Delinquent and Unruly Case Procedures

  • 1. Complaint

    The complainant goes to the Prosecutor’s Office and completes a statement of facts.
    Complaints may be filed by police, school officials, parents, victims, or any adult
    with knowledge of the offense.

    The Intake Clerk obtains approval from the Assistant Prosecuting Attorney assigned
    to Juvenile Court regarding the proper charge. The complaint is then typed, signed,
    and forwarded to the Juvenile Court Chief Deputy Clerk.

    The complaint may be set for a plea hearing or referred to the appropriate Diversion
    Program for unofficial handling.

  • 2. Plea Hearing

    At this hearing, the person is advised of the right to counsel and other constitutional
    and procedural rights. The allegations regarding the charge are also explained.

    If the child denies the charge, the matter is set for pretrial. If the child admits
    the charge, or is later found to be delinquent or unruly, the matter may continue for
    a predisposition investigation and report or proceed to immediate disposition.

  • 3. Pretrial

    At this step, the parties involved gather information and prepare for further proceedings.

  • 4. Adjudicatory Hearing

    This hearing determines whether a child is a juvenile traffic offender, delinquent,
    unruly, abused, neglected, dependent, or otherwise within the jurisdiction of the Court.

  • 5. Dispositional Hearing

    This hearing determines what action will be taken after adjudication. The Court considers
    the child’s previous record, relationship with parents, school reports, the child’s statements,
    public safety, and whether the behavior may continue. Rehabilitation is a key factor at this stage.

Court Dispositions

Disposition may include one or more of the following:

Dismissal Fine and Court Costs
Restitution Community Service
Diversion Probation
License Suspension Detention
Placement with Children Services Placement out-of-home
Group Home Placement Commitment to Department of Youth Services
Referrals to outside agency services Referrals to Court programs