What if formal charges are filed?
If formal charges are filed (petition), the juvenile and his/her parent/guardian will be summoned to appear in Juvenile Court for an Admit/Deny Hearing. At this hearing, the Judge will explain all pending charges and legal options to the juvenile. The juvenile can admit to the charges, or deny the charges and request a Public Defender for legal assistance. If they admit to the charges, the Judge may hand down his sentence at that time, or s/he may set a Sentencing Hearing for a later date. If the juvenile requests a lawyer, the case will be scheduled for a Pretrial Conference and Evidentiary Hearing (trial). Who is the Court Resource Officer? The Court Resource Officer assists the Court during Admit/Deny and Sentencing hearings by filling out paperwork, coordinating community resources, and explaining court orders. They also meet with juvenile offenders and their parents if a sentence is handed down at the Admit/Deny Hearing to explain the Court Order and refer the offender to programm
