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1. What is delinquency supervision?

Delinquency supervision is managed by social workers through the Ozaukee County Department of Human Services - Juvenile Court Services Unit. It involves the protection of citizens from crime, holding youth accountable for their behavior and provision of treatment / services to build competencies. Social Workers oversee the behavior of juveniles in their home, school and community environments (supervision is similar to adult probation.) If you have any questions, please contact Human Services.

2. Why do I have to come to Human Services for being alleged delinquent?

Chapter 938 of the Wisconsin Statutes specifies county human services departments are required to provide Intake and Disposition services to youth and families involved in the juvenile delinquency system. If you have any questions, please contact Human Services.

3. What is on-call intake?

Ozaukee County Department of Human Services - Juvenile Court Services Unit provides intake services 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, for the purpose of screening juveniles taken into custody and not released. Intake workers determine whether a juvenile should be held in juvenile detention (secure or non-secure). Law enforcement does not have direct authority in the placement of juvenile's in detention as they have with adults in jail determination. Juvenile detention must be authorized by and intake worker.

If you have any questions, please contact Human Services.

4. Why can a 17 year old be charged in adult court on a criminal offence, but be kept in juvenile court for missing school?

In Wisconsin, youths age 17 are considered adults for criminal offenses. They are charged as adults and criminal proceedings are in adult court. Truancy is not a criminal offense and would fall under the jurisdiction of Juvenile in Need of Protection or Services (JIPS). All court proceedings are in juvenile court. Attendance in school is mandatory until the age of 18 by state law.

If you have any questions, please contact Human Services.

5. How does adjudication as a juvenile affect a juvenile's record / future?

As a juvenile, a youth's criminal record is considered confidential. In applying for employment it is not required that a juvenile indicate on a job application that they have been adjudicated (convicted) for a felony or any other offense. A juvenile should be aware that their juvenile record can be used for court matters when the juvenile becomes an adult and there are certain circumstances in which the juvenile's criminal record may be attainable by the United States government / military. The United States military typically requires signed releases of information to inquire about juvenile delinquency records. If you have any questions, please contact Human Services.

6. What happens if a juvenile and his / her parents decline to be involved in an Intake Inquiry Interview?

Should a youth decline involvement in an Intake Inquiry Interview, the juvenile referral (police report) will be submitted to the District Attorney's office for review without an intake assessment. The District Attorney's office will make a determination of possible prosecution in juvenile court. If you have any questions, please contact Human Services.

7. How can parents be held responsible / liable for damages?

Per state law, parent(s) may be liable for damages to property or loss of property, as well as personal injury to a victim due to the actions of their son or daughter. The amount of recovery from parent(s) depends upon which statute applies to the delinquent act. If you have questions, please contact Human Services.

8. How do juveniles get placed outside of their home?

The placement of juveniles outside of their home requires a circuit court order. Ozaukee County Department of Human Services only recommends placement outside of the parental home when the welfare of the juvenile and/or the community warrants it. Juveniles are not placed in alternate care without substantial attempts at retaining a child in their parental home through the use of available services, resources, and treatment. Ozaukee County Department of Human Services promotes a community based approach to juvenile delinquency.

If you have any questions, please contact Human Services.

9. Can a juvenile be placed into a boot camp?

Currently, there are no boot camps in the State of Wisconsin that Ozaukee County Department of Human Services can force a youth into unless the youth is adjudicated delinquent and needs a juvenile corrections placement. Currently there is a short form of a boot camp at Lincoln Hills Boys School in Irma, WI. Lincoln Hills Boys School is a juvenile corrections facility. On a voluntary basis, youth can enter the Challenge Academy in Fort McCoy, WI.

If you have any questions, please contact Human Services.

10. Can a juvenile be emancipated in Wisconsin?

In the State of Wisconsin, emancipation is not available at any age. If you have questions, please contact Human Services.

11. How do victims get restitution?

Victims should receive notice of juvenile hearings and they have the right to make a statement to the court regarding their circumstances. Victims receive a Victim Impact Statement form in the mail. Through the use of the form, victims indicate how this situation has affected them, and they can indicate a restitution amount for any personal injury, property damage or loss. Through juvenile supervision, whether informal or formal, juveniles will be required to pay restitution to the victim(s).

Parents may also be required to pay restitution for the actions of their child. Juveniles have the length of their juvenile supervision to pay the requested restitution. Victims do have the right to pursue the restitution in Civil Court. Juveniles are required to pay restitution to the Ozaukee County Department of Human Services. The collected restitution is sent to the victim.

If you have questions, please contact Human Services.