Q If my child is placed on probation, how long will it last?
A. The Probation Department utilizes a risk/needs instrument that was especially designed for Allen County. At the time a child is placed on probation, the intake officer completes an assessment that determines the child's level of risk for re-offending. A high-risk youth will be on probation approximately twelve months; a medium risk youth for eight months; and a low risk youth for four months. It should be noted that each youth is re-evaluated every ninety days and after every new offense. Therefore, the length of time a youth is on probation varies.
Q. When I turn 18, will I automatically be terminated from probation supervision?
A. No. A youth is not automatically removed from probation supervision at the age of 18. The Juvenile Court can maintain jurisdiction until the age of 21. However, if for any reason the youth would require detention as a result of a probation violation, the youth would be detained at the Allen County Justice Center rather than in the Allen County Juvenile Detention Center.
Q. Are my juvenile records automatically sealed after I turn 18?
A. No. There are two mechanisms available with which to seal a juvenile record. The first is called expungement. An expungement of a record can be requested if the juvenile is not found delinquent or unruly of the offense for which they are charged, based upon the complaint filed. There is no cost for filing a request for expungement. The second is called "seal" of record. A person may request that records be sealed two (2) years after the final court order in a case. There is a cost for filing for seal of record, plus any outstanding court costs. There are certain felony offenses that cannot be sealed. Contact the Clerk's Office for additional information regarding seal or expungement of records.
Q. What is emancipation?
A. There is no specific statute or court rule in the State of Ohio which specifically permits a child to be considered an emancipated minor.
Q. Can anyone see the inside of the Allen County Juvenile Treatment and Detention Center?
A. This answer is two-fold. Parents are advised that they need to go through a special referral first, at which time the child's age is the determining factor. If a child is between the ages of 10 and 13, they can attend a scheduled tour (tours scheduled approximately once per month) of the Treatment and Detention Facility. If a child is older than 13, they can view a short version of the Court's video "Where am I going?"
Q. Do you have a "Scared Straight" program?
A. The Court offers a tour of the Allen County Jail and Pathfinders House for children ages 14-18. Again, the parents and child must have participated in a special referral before participating in this tour (offered approximately once per month).
Q. What happens after a youth enters the Center?
A. The youth is held pending a court hearing. During the interim, the youth is provided necessary services to included continued health care, education, recreational and leisure activities, as well as visits with parents, attorney, and probation officer and crisis intervention.
Q. How many youth does the Center hold?
A. The Treatment/Detention Center's rated capacity is 33 youth.
Q. Are there more boys than girls in the Center?
A. The ratio of boys to girls is 5-1 respectively.
Q. What are the ages of the youth who come into the Center?
A. Ages of youth entering the Treatment/Detention Center are 10 to 17. The average age is 15.
Q. Who can work Restitution & Community Service Programs?
A. Restitution and Community Service are two separate programs. A youth who has been court ordered to pay restitution to a victim, and who is at least 14 years of age but under 18 years of age, can work off a restitution obligation up to $1,000.00. A youth who is court ordered to perform a certain number of community services hours, who is at least 14 years of age but under 18 years of age, can satisfy the court ordered community service by working (for no pay) at community service work sites through the Community Service Program.
Q. Do I get paid for working restitution?
A. No. A youth involved the Restitution Program will have any money accrued through their participation in the program paid to their victim toward satisfaction of any court ordered victim restitution obligation.
Q. Can I post bond on my traffic ticket?
A. Bond can be posted on certain first moving violations. Contact the Clerk's Office for additional information. Offenses for which bond cannot be posted are listed in this Court's Local Rule16.02 (A) (B) & (C).
Q. What are a pre-hearing and a preliminary conference?
A. In cases were a child is alleged to be Delinquent, Unruly, Dependent, Neglected or Abused, the Court schedules these matters for initial hearing within ten days following the filing of a complaint.
If a child is alleged to be Dependent, Neglected or Abused, a preliminary conference is scheduled before a Magistrate. At the preliminary conference, the parents/custodians of the child are advised of the allegations contained in the complaint, their rights in the proceeding, and possible orders that may be made by the Court. The matter is then scheduled for an adjudicatory hearing at a later date.
If a child is alleged to be a Delinquent or Unruly child, the matter is set for a pre-hearing, at which time the child is advised of his/her rights in the proceeding, possible consequences if adjudicated of the offense, and asked to enter either an admission or denial to the allegations contained in the complaint. If denied, the matter is assigned for adjudicatory hearing at a later date.
Q What does adjudication mean?
A. An adjudication is a finding that the Court makes after a complaint has been filed and the matter has been heard. Once there is an adjudication, such as a child being adjudicated delinquent, unruly, dependent, neglected or abused, then the Court has the authority to make appropriate orders with respect to the child and his/her parents.
Q My child is involved in unruly behaviors, what can I do?
A You can contact the Unruly Department at (419) 998-5249 and request a special referral meeting, where your options will be explained to you.
Placement Facilities For Youth: The Administrative Secretary of the Probation Department currently maintains a collection of in and out-of-state placement resources and materials. These materials can be accessed by calling the Probation Department at (419) 998-5283.
"What Kids Need To Succeed" is a book the Probation Department frequently refers parents to read. This books spells out 40 assets-good things every young person needs to be successful. This book is published by Free Spirit Publishing, Inc., 400 First Avenue North, Suite 616, Minneapolis, MN 55401-1730 (612-338-2068 or 1-800-735-7323). The Allen County Family and Children First Council (419-223-8532) will make this book available, at no cost, while supplies last, or the book can be ordered from Free Spirit Publishing, Inc. at the address listed above.
The Lima/Allen County Community and Social Service Network Web Page at www.limaallenhelp.com - A comprehensive informational database dedicated to linking citizens and human service professionals with social services in the greater Lima/Allen county area. Over 200 services providers in various fields including health, social services, employment, government, emergency, educational (to name a few) are listed on this web site. The Lima Public Library, city and county schools, local law enforcement agencies, YMCA and YWCA, churches, social service agencies, colleges and universities all have computers and Internet access. Plans are being developed to place computers with Internet access in various neighborhoods for easier access by citizens in the community.
"Where Am I Going" video produced for the Allen County Juvenile Court - A view from a youth's eyes of being arrested and processed through the Juvenile Court System. This video can be viewed by contacting the Probation Department or Unruly Department of the Allen County Juvenile Court. There is a long and short version of this video production available for viewing.
