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| Juvenile
Delinquency and Dependency |
| The Juvenile Services
Division is an agency of the Court of Common Pleas of Beaver
County. It operates pursuant to 42 PA. C.S. 6301 et. seq. (The
Juvenile Act). 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. |
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| The term “delinquency”
refers to an act committed by a juvenile that is designated
as a crime under the law. The term “dependency”
is used to describe children and youth who may be abused, neglected,
truant or status offenders under the law. There are many provisions
to the legal definition of both terms. For a full definition,
please refer to 42 Pa.C.S.A. 6302. Pennsylvania has a balanced
and restorative system of juvenile justice. The goal of the
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. |
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| Delinquency cases
entering the juvenile justice system may be handled in three
ways depending on the seriousness of the offense, the juvenile’s
past offense history and other factors in the juvenile’s
life. All proceedings are conducted consistent with the concept
of balanced and restorative justice. Possible dispositions
include informal adjustment without supervision, consent
decree with
six months voluntary supervision or formal disposition with
the court ordering probation or commitment as well as various
other conditions. Delinquency proceedings are conducted according
to the Rules of Juvenile Court Procedure (Delinquency Matters)
(enter link to JCJC website where rules may be accessed). |
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| 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 (Dependency Matters)
(enter link to JCJC website where rules may be accessed). Services
to dependent youth and their families are provided by Beaver
County Children and Youth Services. |
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