Juvenile Offender Services
The Juvenile Offender Services program was created in 2006 in response to our community’s desire to deal with juvenile offenders effectively and creatively. The Juvenile Offender Services program is designed to hold juvenile offenders accountable for their behavior, recognize and repair the harm they have done to their victims and community, as well as learn new skills and behavior that will enable them to become responsible young adults.
The Juvenile Offender Services (JOS) program deals with first-time offenders who are able to demonstrate a potential and a desire to start making positive choices and changes in their lives. During the intake process, JOS Officers screen potential candidates for drug/alcohol use, victim empathy, family life involvement, as well as a desire to make healthy, positive choices. Parental support and cooperation are required and considered critical to youth and program success.
As part of the JOS program youth are required to give a written statement accepting responsibility for their behavior. Youth also sign an agreement to meet a variety of conditions over the course of one-year. These requirements may include, but are not limited to, paying restitution to their victims, participating in victim/offender dialogs, learning employment skills and performing volunteer work. The JOS Officers also facilitate the Excel program which is a ten-week educational program that covers such topics as drug/alcohol abuse, social skills and victim impact. The Excel class also takes youth to Camp Alexander for one day to learn team-work and leadership skills. JOS Officers also facilitate a seven-week Victim Impact class to help selected youth learn how their behavior impacts others.
As District Attorney I recognize the necessity of a dual approach to dealing with juvenile offenders. Holding juveniles accountable for their behavior sends a clear message concerning what our community will tolerate and what it will not tolerate. Giving juveniles the opportunity to make amends and learn new behaviors and skills also sends the message that our community cares about the future of our youth.