The Juvenile Court system deals with children under the age of 18.  It generally handles two specific areas regarding children:  (1) dependent, neglected, and abused children and (2) delinquent and unruly children.  Additionally, the Juvenile Court also has jurisdiction over paternity cases, child support matters, private custody matters, and cases regarding adults who are alleged to have committed certain criminal offenses against children, including contributing to the delinquency of a minor and child endangering.

Juvenile court cases are tried before a Magistrate or Judge.  Usually, there is no right to a jury trial in Juvenile Court. There are two exceptions; adult criminal cases, which always include the right to a jury trial and juvenile defendants who are to be labeled Serious Youth Offenders.

The Juvenile Division of the Prosecutor’s Office consists of two sections: Delinquency and Dependency/Neglect.