Family Guide to the Juvenile Justice Process
This page provides general information about the juvenile justice system in Deschutes County.
Post Police Contact
After police respond to a situation where a youth may have committed a crime they do one of the following:
- Release the youth to their parent or guardian
- Take the youth to a detention facility
What's Next?
If your child has been involved in a law violation, it is up to a law enforcement agency to investigate. If they find probable cause to believe that a crime was committed, they forward a police report to the Juvenile Department. Every case referred to the Juvenile Department is evaluated before determining the type of intervention. Certain offenses require District Attorney review before a decision is made on how to proceed with the case. Some cases are referred to court for formal processing (court hearings and judicial orders) while others are referred to a Community Justice Officer who reviews the case and determines the most appropriate intervention.
First Time Offenses
If your child’s first offense involves a status offense or violation, you may receive a letter from the Juvenile Department providing you with a list of helpful youth resources and encouraging you to address the incident with your child. If the offense occurs anywhere else in Oregon, your child may be required to come to the Juvenile Department for an intake.
Juvenile Justice System
The juvenile justice system is different from the adult criminal system. Juveniles are not prosecuted for committing crimes, but rather delinquent acts. The juvenile system concentrates on holding youth accountable for their actions, keeping the public safe, and repairing harm in the community. Below is a glossary that may help you understand words that are used in the juvenile justice system.
Process Timeline
The juvenile department works hard to handle cases in a timely manner. Police reports are reviewed within 1 week of receipt. If your child is taken into custody, the juvenile department will contact you immediately.
Right to an Attorney
An attorney may be hired or appointed by the Court. The Court appoints an attorney when a person cannot afford one. Attorneys are only appointed when a youth faces a charge that may lead to detention or placement in a youth correctional facility. A Juvenile Court Clerk will provide an application for a court appointed attorney when the youth makes their first appearance in court.
What is my role as the parent or guardian of the youth?
The parent/guardian plays an important role in the juvenile justice process. Most youth are dependent on family members to provide support and guidance; parents have a big impact on the choices their children make. A strong partnership between the parent/guardian and the community justice officer (CJO) can have a significant impact on a youth’s success. Parents are expected to work with the CJO; responding to correspondence, attending all appointments/hearings and monitoring their youth’s compliance and progress.
Family Support
See information on our Community Resources page for information on resources for youth services in the community.
