| Last updated on June 26, 2008 |
The mission of the 13th Judicial District Court Services is to provide accountability and services for youth referred for delinquent or at risk behavior in an effort to prevent further involvement with the youth justice system.
Description:
The Youth Court system works with three types of youth:
- The delinquent youth who would be charged with a crime if an adult.
- A youth in need of intervention who, if an adult, could not be charged with a crime. (These are youth who are runaways, truant from school, or chemically dependent on drugs or alcohol.)
- The youth in need of care who is an abused or neglected child by reason of his/her parents' omissions to provide for his/her welfare. (This falls in the jurisdiction of Youth Court but is handled by the Department of Family Services.)
The Montana Youth Court act incorporates the following philosophy:
- The unity and welfare of the family should be preserved whenever possible.
- Provisions should be made for the care, protection and wholesome mental and physical development of the youth.
- Youth who violate the law should be handled with a program of supervision, care, rehabilitation, and if appropriate, restitution.
- A youth should be separated from his home only when necessary for the welfare of the youth or for the safety and protection of the community.
Youth Court and all programs of youth court are operated under the principles of Balanced and Restorative Justice. It is Balanced in that it takes into account all parties affected by criminal behavior, the victim, the community and the offender. It is Restorative in that it addresses the community's need for protection, accountability for juveniles and competency development in order to prevent further involvement in the justice system.
As an extension of Court Services, the Youth Intake and Assessment Center (YAC) works in collaboration with other community agencies to serve as a resource and education center for youth, families and the community. Upon arrest, law enforcement bring juveniles to the YAC, complete essential paperwork and return to patrol, streamlining the process and increasing community safety. Referrals to the YAC also may be made by other community professionals, service agencies or family members. The YAC offers a full range of screening tools that evaluate a wide variety of risk factors including Substance Use, Mental Health Status, Physical Health Status, Family Relationships, Peer Relationships, Educational Status, Vocational Status, Social Skills, Leisure and Recreation, Aggressive Behavior and Delinquency. Timely assessment allows for early identification and intervention for troubled youth while providing prompt and meaningful accountability for juvenile offenders. When significant needs are identified, youth are evaluated further by YAC staff or through referrals to community professionals. Assessments are offered at no cost to the youth or their family.
Contact person: Linda Villareal, Program Coordinator, (phone), (email)
Office fax number: (406) 254-6041
Address:
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217 N. 27th, Room 203, P. O. Box 35031
Billings, MT 59107
(See a map) |
Web Site: None specified
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