NCJ Number
205675
Date Published
2003
Length
11 pages
Annotation
This 2003 Annual Report of the Juvenile Division of the Huron County Common Pleas Court (Ohio) presents data and information on the court's cases and programs.
Abstract
The court aims at a balanced approach in its work with juveniles as it emphasizes "community protection," "accountability," "competency" (effective treatment), and "individualization" (treatment-offender matching). In implementing these goals, the court seeks to involve the community, the victim, and the youth in a constructive disposition of the case. Data are provided on the number of hearings and trials for each of 12 types of cases. Data are also provided on community placement and detention costs over the last 5 years. The number of youth committed to Department of Youth Services, including community correctional facilities, was 4 males and no females in 2003. Data are reported on the number of cases and the sex of the youth processed and convicted for delinquency, unruly, and traffic offenses. Data are also provided on cases of abuse, dependency, and neglect. The court judge notes in his comments that the most disturbing figure in the statistical data is the 11.85-percent increase last year in the number of complaints that alleged children were either abused, neglected, or dependent. The abuse of illegal drugs, particularly heroin, by young parents was the most significant cause of this increase. This report describes a court program of mediation, which is designed to empower parents to resolve any differences associated with the care and welfare of their children, as well as the Juvenile Intervention Court (begun in October 2003), which is designed to assist juveniles who are drug dependent and/or mentally ill.