Delinquent Court Programs

Intake Unit

Juvenile Programs Intake unit is comprised of one supervisor, three on-call intake officers, and one full time Community Outreach Case Manager. The Case Manager handles the juvenile cases from the time the complaint is routed to them until disposition of the case is completed. Many first offenders can be dealt with effectively through an informal process that addresses the complaint without a formal appearance before a judge.

Click here to complete the intake assessment packet.

Community Risk Reduction Program

Intensive Case Management

Intensive Supervision includes cases that require special handling. The Intervention Officer who manages these caseloads use evidence-based practices to hold the youth accountable based on their actions and the intense nature of their offenses. Intensive supervision is provided to the juvenile within the community, when combined with surveillance, accountability and community protection, have proven to be effective alternatives to out-of-home placement. The Intervention Officer emphasizes frequent accountability at home, school, and the community. Additional supports and treatment are added to ensure successful completion of their term of probation and program.

Click here to complete the Monthly Case Management Check-in.

Juvenile Justice Incentive Grant Programs

We receive funding from the Criminal Justice Coordinating Council to fund the following:

Aggression Replacement Training

Aggression Replacement Training- Aggression Replacement Training® is a cognitive behavioral intervention program to help children and adolescents improve social skill competence and moral reasoning, better manage anger, and reduce aggressive behavior. The program specifically targets chronically aggressive children and adolescents ages 12-17.

Social Skills Training—Teaches participants what to do, helping them replace antisocial behaviors with positive alternatives.
Anger Control—Teaches participants what not to do, helping them respond to anger in a nonaggressive manner and rethink anger-provoking situations.
Moral Reasoning—Helps raise participants' level of fairness, justice, and concern for the needs and rights of others.

Botvin Life Skills

Training High School program is a highly interactive, skills-based program designed to promote positive health and personal development for high school youth. This program helps adolescents navigate the challenges of the high school years and prepares them for the independence and responsibilities that they will encounter as young adults. The LifeSkills Training High School program uses developmentally appropriate, collaborative learning strategies to help students achieve competency in the skills that have been shown to prevent substance use, violence, and other health risk behaviors.

Personal Self-Management Skills- Students develop strategies for making healthy decisions, reducing stress, and managing anger.
General Social Skills- Students strengthen their communication skills and learn how to build healthy relationships.
Drug Resistance Skills- Students understand the consequences of substance use, risk-taking, and the influences of the media.

Functional Family Therapy (FFT)

FFT is a short-term, high quality intervention program with an average of 12 to 14 sessions over three to five months. FFT works with the entire family. Parental participation is required. FFT is a strength-based model built on a foundation of acceptance and respect. At its core is a focus on assessment and intervention to address risk and protective factors within and outside of the family that impact the adolescent and his or her adaptive development.

This model was designed to help challenged youth and families. The actual practice of FFT is to assist our families with the intent of generating hope, holding onto respect, and being able to “see” dignity in what appears to be degradation, violence, and loathing. It is designed to show individual and collective NOBLE intent shining through the family structure. Last but not least, FFT is a phase- based, multi- component approach to change. FFT, like essentially all coherent models of change, is phasic and developmental. Every system, ranging from human beings to created products, begins in quite a different form than they later become. These systems go through phases which build upon each previous phase and usually follow a specific pattern. Families undertake and complete their journey TOGETHER to positive family change.

Phase 1: Engagement and Motivation:

Engagement: The goals of this phase involve enhancing family members' perceptions of the therapist’s responsiveness and credibility.

Motivation: The goals of this phase include creating a positive, motivational context by decreasing family hostility, conflict, and blame. Goals also include increasing hope and building balanced alliances with family members.

Phase 2: Behavior Change: The goal of this phase is to reduce or eliminate referral problems by improving family functioning and individual skill development

Phase 3: Generalization Phase: The primary goals in this phase are to ensure the family is equipped with addressing setbacks/challenges in a healthier manner.

DOUGLAS COUNTY JUVENILE COURT INFORMATION

Delinquent Court Terms

COMPLAINT: The initial Form 90 complaint completed on your child that indicates his/her charges and starts his/her court involvement.

DELINQUENT: An offense that is a violation of the criminal laws or ordinances. Some examples are thefts, damage to property, drug or alcohol charges, battery, etc.

DETAINED: Your child is being taken into law enforcement custody and placed in secure placement until a detention hearing is held.

ARRAIGNMENT: A hearing where your child is explained his/her Juvenile Court rights, the charges are explained, and an admission or denial is requested on the charges. A denial will invoke the child’s right to a trial.

ADJUDICATION: A hearing where the court finds whether your child has committed a delinquent act based on an admission or trial.

DISPOSITION: A decision made by the court regarding the length of supervision, treatment and rehabilitation your child will be required to follow, participate in and complete prior to termination of court involvement. Special conditions can be ordered.

PETITION: The form that you receive explaining what charges are brought against your child.

Delinquent Court Process

COURT CONTACT

You will receive a summons and petition if you are required to come to court. The court does not reschedule hearings unless there is a documented medical emergency or death in the family. The court is authorized to detain your child for failure to appear. Your child may come to court several times for different hearings detailed below. Several cases are scheduled at the same time, and you may have to wait for your child’s hearing to begin. Our intent through the Juvenile Court procedure is to work cooperatively with the community, law enforcement and parents of the youth toward rehabilitation. Please feel free to communicate with us regarding the concerns and needs of your child. Fees may be imposed by the court. You need to be prepared to present to the court if this is a hardship and why.

IF YOUR CHILD IS TAKEN INTO CUSTODY AND DETAINED:

by an Intake Officer, he/she will have a detention hearing within 48 hours in front of a Juvenile Court Judge. The purpose of this hearing is to determine the placement of your child until he/she returns to court on the actual charges. At this hearing your child will be represented an attorney. You can retain a private attorney at any time. If you cannot afford an attorney, you must make application to the Court for an appointed attorney for continued legal representation. You have the right to request bond at this hearing.

IF YOUR CHILD IS DETAINED AT DETENTION HEARING:

a petition will be filed within 72 hours and an adjudication hearing will be scheduled within 10 days thereafter. Disposition shall be held within 30 days. You have the right to request and receive order setting bond. These time limits may be waived by your child.

Delinquent Court Process Continued

IF YOUR CHILD IS RELEASED AT DETENTION HEARING:

a petition will be filed within 30 days and the adjudication hearing will be scheduled within 60 days unless the time limit is waived by your child.

IF YOUR CHILD IS ACCUSED BUT NOT DETAINED:

If a complaint is being filed against your child and your child is being released by law enforcement, the complaint will be sent to the Clerk of Juvenile Court to be filed. An Intake Officer reviews the complaint and makes a determination for diversion or brought for formal court proceedings. If a petition is filed, an arraignment hearing date will be scheduled, and you will be notified of the date and time. You will receive a summons and petition. The petition will explain exactly what your child is being charged with. It may take a short or long period of time for your child to receive notice of this hearing. You can contact the Clerks Office if you have questions about your charges or court date. If the complaint is diverted, you will be notified by an Intake Officer or by the Department of Juvenile Justice.

AT THE ARRAIGNMENT HEARING:

the Judge will advise your child of his/her rights and ask him/her to give an answer to the charge(s). Your child is presumed to be innocent until the charge is proven beyond a reasonable doubt or an admission is made by your child. Your child has a right to have a trial on the charge against him/her. In Juvenile Court, trials are before the Judge and not before a jury. If your child either denies the charge or remains silent, a trial will be scheduled for a later date. Your child has the right to have an attorney represent him/her. If you cannot afford an attorney, one may be appointed. If you wish to apply for court appointed attorney, call 770-920-7245 for an application. You may be required to reimburse the court for the cost.

POSSIBLE DISPOSITIONS IN A JUVENILE COURT CASE ARE:

Dismissal—closes case without intervention
Diversion—closes case upon completion of specific requirements set forth by the Diversion Case Worker
Informal Adjustment—an informal period of supervision that lasts up to 6 months if ordered by the Court
Probation—a formal supervision by a court officer for up to 2 years
STP—short term placement in a Youth Detention Center for up to 30 days
Commitment—custody is given to the Department of Juvenile Justice for a period of 2 years for state services
Designated Felony charges could lead to confinement in a Youth Detention Center for 12 to 60 months. Special conditions and court fees can be ordered.

Children between the ages of 13 and 17 can be charged as an adult for serious offenses. Those cases are heard in Superior Court. There are also other types of cases where a child can be charged with an offense as a juvenile and that case is transferred to Superior Court.

JUVENILE RIGHTS

YOUR CHILD HAS THE FOLLOWING RIGHTS:

To have a trial
To be represented by an attorney
To confront the witnesses against themselves
To subpoena witnesses to appear in court
To testify and offer evidence in their own defense
Not to incriminate themselves or say anything; If they do not say anything, this cannot be held against them
To apply for a bond
To file appeal

Delinquent Court Programs

Intake Documents

Community Mental Health Partners

Court Rules for Virtual Hearings

DOUGLAS COUNTY JUVENILE COURT INFORMATION

Douglas County Juvenile Court Information

Delinquent Court Process & Terms

This information was not prepared by the court itself and is not intended to substitute for legal advice.

Delinquent Court Terms

Delinquent Court Process

COURT CONTACT

IF YOUR CHILD IS TAKEN INTO CUSTODY AND DETAINED:

IF YOUR CHILD IS DETAINED AT DETENTION HEARING:

Delinquent Court Process Continued

IF YOUR CHILD IS RELEASED AT DETENTION HEARING:

IF YOUR CHILD IS ACCUSED BUT NOT DETAINED:

AT THE ARRAIGNMENT HEARING:

POSSIBLE DISPOSITIONS IN A JUVENILE COURT CASE ARE:

Dismissal—closes case without intervention

Diversion—closes case upon completion of specific requirements set forth by the Diversion Case Worker

Informal Adjustment—an informal period of supervision that lasts up to 6 months if ordered by the Court

Probation—a formal supervision by a court officer for up to 2 years

STP—short term placement in a Youth Detention Center for up to 30 days

Commitment—custody is given to the Department of Juvenile Justice for a period of 2 years for state services

Designated Felony charges could lead to confinement in a Youth Detention Center for 12 to 60 months. Special conditions and court fees can be ordered.

JUVENILE RIGHTS

YOUR CHILD HAS THE FOLLOWING RIGHTS:

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