|
|
Washington County
Juvenile Court
|
Juvenile Court is
responsible for adjudicating matters regarding minors. Crimes
committed by children and minors are treated differently and
differentially regarding the same crimes committed by adults to give
young, impressionable youth a second chance. Cases generally fall
into three major categories: delinquency, dependency-neglect, and
Family In Need of Services (FINS). |
| |
Delinquency
cases may be filed when juveniles age 10-17 commit an act that would
be a crime (not including traffic and game and fish violations) if
committed by an adult, or minors in possession of handguns. The
prosecuting attorney files a petition with the court and the
juvenile and his/her parents are made defendants and must answer to
the court.
|
Dependency-Neglect
cases may be filed when a juvenile is abandoned, abused, sexually
abused, neglected or where the child is at great risk of harm due to
parental unfitness. These cases usually involve the Department of
Human Services (DHS). The goal of the juvenile court and the DHS is
to reunite families, if it is in a child's best interest and the
child can safely return home, by developing a permanent plan for the
child, which could include adoption.
|
|
Family In Need of Services (FINS)
cases may be filed when a child’s behavior includes such acts as
running way, being truant or being disobedient to his/her parents
and it is brought to the attention of the juvenile authorities,
often by parents or school officials. The goal of a FINS case is to
work out a course of action to stop these problems. FINS cases also
include kids who commit crimes who are under 10 and kids who have
mental health and alcohol and drug abuse problems. |
|
|
Stacey A. Zimmerman
Circuit Judge
885 Clydesdale Drive Fayetteville, AR 72701
479-444-1739 - phone
479-444-1749 - fax
|
|