Section 30 Role ofJuvenileOfficerinInformalAdjustmentProcess

• Library: Juvenile Law 2011

Cases that do not require formal juvenile court intervention may be informally adjusted by the juvenile officer. These usually include less serious cases referred to the court and cases in which the child and family have shown a willingness to receive social services on a voluntary basis. The informal adjustment process offers the advantage of making treatment services available to children and their families without the necessity of filing a petition and conducting formal court proceedings. It may also minimize, for juveniles, the stigmatic impact of undergoing “official” juvenile court action.

Rule 112 sets forth the procedures to be utilized in the informal adjustment of a case. Primary responsibility for conducting the process rests squarely on the juvenile officer. Rule 112.01 permits the juvenile officer or “other persons, as appropriate” to give “guidance and advice” to the child and the child’s custodian and, in certain circumstances, to supervise the child and arrange for temporary placement outside the custodian’s home. Other...