The Juvenile Services Division is an agency of the Court of Common Pleas of Beaver County. It operates pursuant to the Juvenile Act (42 Pa. C.S. 6301, et seq).
The agency has responsibility in both delinquency and dependency cases and serves as the access point to the juvenile court in all matters initiated under the Juvenile Act. In addition to juvenile court intake, the agency provides probation supervision for delinquent youth.
Delinquency
The term “delinquency” refers to an act committed by a juvenile that is designated as a crime under the law.
Delinquency cases may be handled in three ways, depending on:
- seriousness of the offense:
- previous offenses, if any
- other factors in the juvenile’s life
All proceedings are conducted consistent with the concept of a balanced and restorative justice. Delinquency proceedings follow the Rules of Juvenile Court Procedure.
Possible dispositions include:
- Informal adjustment without supervision
- Consent decree with six months voluntary supervision
- Formal disposition with the court ordering probation
- Commitment
The goal of the juvenile justice system is to provide balanced attention to the protection of the community, the imposition of accountability for offenses committed and the development of competencies to enable children to become responsible and productive members of the community.
Dependency
The term “dependency” is used to describe children and youth who may be abused, neglected, truant or status offenders under the law.
All dependency cases are initiated by the filing of a dependency allegation at the Juvenile Services Division and the subsequent filing of a petition by Children and Youth Services. Dependency proceedings are governed by the Rules of Juvenile Court Procedure. Services for dependent youth and their families are provided by Beaver County Children and Youth Services.