The Juvenile Court was established to assist, protect and restore, if possible, as secure law-abiding member of society, those juveniles whose well-being is threatened. Each child coming within the jurisdiction of the Court receives the care, guidance and control that will be conducive to his or her welfare and the best interests of the state.
The Court has exclusive original jurisdiction over juvenile matters and is the sole court for initiating action concerning any child under 17 years of age:
The Court has jurisdiction involving any proceedings:
The Juvenile Court has an annual caseload of over 2200 petitions that must be processed and prepared for hearings. Collecting restitution for victims, handling traffic fines, and insuring that indigent juveniles have legal counsel is a routine part of the Court’s daily function.
The Court also provides a probation staff of six (6) who counsel and coordinate the treatment of each juvenile under the jurisdiction of the Court. A variety of community-based programs are offered.
Judge presiding over the Juvenile Court is The Honorable Herbie L. Solomon. Judge Ingrid Patrice Driskell serves as Associate Judge. The court can be reached at 229.431.2162.