Juvenile Detention

Photography  by Jeff Wilson    

            

Law enforcement responds to a call
    A. They assess the situation: Is there immediate danger to anyone? Does the juvenile have a history in the juvenile justice system? Is the crime serious enough to involve outside agencies?

    B. Based on the initial assessment, they determine which course of action to will be taken.
                            1. Counsel at the scene or send the juvenile home.
                            2. Issue a citation and send to Municipal or Justice Court.
                            3. Make report and send to Juvenile Probation.
                            4. Arrest at the scene and transport to Juvenile Detention.
                            5. Obtain a Directive to Apprehend. Better known as an Arrest Warrant and transport to Juvenile Detention when the are found.

Once a police agency or school official sends a case to Juvenile Probation, the agency closes their case unless further investigation is needed. At this point, the Juvenile Probation Department is who the juvenile's family should contact about further action.

Law enforcement may issue a citation and require a juvenile to appear before a Justice of the Peace or in a Municipal Court for offenses or crimes that are Class C Misdemeanors.

Class C Misdemeanor crimes include but are not limited to:
Theft of less than 50.00, Criminal Mischief or damaging property valued at less than 50.00 and is not graffiti, assaultive behavior that does not cause serious bodily injury, disorderly conduct, disruption of class, violation of a city curfew, truancy, failure to attend school and minor in possession.

The Justice of the Peace or Municipal Court Judge will assess the referral by looking at the juvenile's history in their court, family involvement, school recommendations and the attitude of the juvenile when they appear in court. The judge can dispose of the case in many ways. Below are listed several of the most common:
    A. Counsel and release.
    B. Issue a fine to the parents as little as 50.00 and as much as 500.00 per day in the case of truancy.
    C. Order the juvenile to do community service.
    D. Order the juvenile to the One Day Boot Camp program.
    E. Place on 90 or 180 day probation.
    F. Order the juvenile into counseling.
    G. Waive jurisdiction and refer on to Juvenile Court.  

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