Cases involving youths under 17 years old
are assigned to the Juvenile Division.
The Juvenile Division handles cases when a juvenile is accused of a crime
or a victim of abuse or neglect.
Juvenile
View Juvenile Contacts Here.
Juvenile Division
The Juvenile Division of the District Attorney’s Office handles cases involving juveniles as offenders in Delinquency proceedings and as victims of abuse and neglect by their parents and/or caregivers in Child in Need of Care (CINC) proceedings. Except in limited circumstances as provided by law, all juvenile matters are confidential and the court proceedings are closed.
Delinquency
The Juvenile Division of the District Attorney’s Office prosecutes juvenile offenders in delinquency proceedings in the Juvenile Courts of St. Tammany and Washington Parishes. This includes prosecuting criminal acts committed by individuals who are juveniles. As of April 2024, this includes offenders aged 10-16 at the time of the commission of the offense. Very serious offenses, such as homicide, rape, and armed robbery may be referred for prosecution as an adult if the offender meets certain criteria.
Families in Need of Services (FINS) cases are also handled on the Juvenile Division’s delinquency docket. The FINS program is administered by the Youth Service Bureau (YSB), and provides delinquency prevention services for juvenile offenders engaged in ungovernable behavior, truancy, runaway, and the failure of caretakers to attend meeting regarding their children’s behavior at school. Link to YSB.
Juvenile Traffic offenses are held on a separate docket, and include offenders who are aged 10-17.
Child in Need of Care (CINC)
The District Attorney’s Office represents the state’s interest in Child in Need of Care cases. Referrals for CINC cases are made by the Department of Children and Family Services in cases of child abuse and neglect by a child’s parents and/or caregiver. For more information, contact the Department of Children and Family Services. Access here: DCFS.
Juvenile Traffic Citations
If your child receives a traffic citation, please note that appearance in court is MANDATORY for all juveniles who receive traffic citations. Please carefully check the date and time on the citation for the correct Court, date and time for you appearance. It is mandatory that a parent or guardian accompany them to court.
FAQs
What happens if my child is charged with a crime?
Your child may be released or may be detained pending court action. Your child will be arrested and released to a parent on a custodial release, or be detained in Florida Parishes Juvenile Detention Center. If released to parents, the parent will be called or served with a court date. If your child is detained in Florida Parishes Juvenile Detention Center, you will be contacted by someone affiliated with law enforcement.
If my child is charged with a crime, do I need to hire a lawyer?
The juvenile court presumes children are indigent, and an attorney will be appointed to represent your child. You may hire your child an attorney, but no child that is charged with a crime appears in court without a lawyer.
What can happen if my child is found to be delinquent?
It depends. Sentencing is at the discretion of the Judge.
Can I have a trial on my juvenile court charges?
Yes. Every child charged with any offense has a right to a trial. In Juvenile Court the trial is decided by a Juvenile Judge rather than a Jury.
Can anyone go to juvenile court and see the hearings involving minors?
Except in limited circumstances provided by Law, all juvenile matters are confidential and court proceedings are closed.
Can my child come to court without a parent or guardian?
No. A parent or guardian must be present with the juvenile for court appearances.
How can my juvenile record affect my future?
This is a question best asked of your defense attorney.
How can I get my juvenile record expunged?
This is a question best asked of your defense attorney.
Am I (the parent) liable for my child’s attorney, stay in juvenile hall or any damages to victims?
This is a question best asked of your defense attorney.
Are there any special treatment courts in the Juvenile Court?
Yes. Family Preservation Court is a treatment court that provides services to parents in Child in Need of Care proceedings, (CINC).
What if I am a victim of a crime committed by a minor?
A victim’s rights to information, restitution, making an impact statement to the court and knowing the outcome of a case are virtually the same in the juvenile court as they are in adult court. Victims can contact our Victim’s Assistance Program for more information.
Can a juvenile traffic citation be paid?
No. A juvenile who receives a traffic citation has a mandatory court appearance, and must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
I have a hold on my driver’s license from Juvenile Court. What can I do?
This is not something that the District Attorney’s Office handles, please contact the Department of Motor Vehicles.
What is FINS?
Families In Need of Services (FINS) is a juvenile delinquency prevention program to address needs of juveniles engaged in truancy, ungovernable behavior, runaway, substance abuse, and the failure of parents or caretakers to attend meetings regarding their children’s behavior at school. Services are provided through the Youth Service Bureau.