The
Court Unit was established back in 1992 to allow the field officers to dedicate
more time to supervising the children on their caseloads. The court officer’s
responsibility is to prepare all documents necessary to process a child through
the court system in a timely and efficient manner. Once the County Attorney’s
Office has made the decision to prosecute a child, a petition is filed and a
copy is forwarded to the court unit. Upon receipt and review by the court unit
coordinator, the case is then assigned to a court officer.
The
court officer is then responsible for tracking the case and monitoring when the
case will be set for pre-trial and a plea date. The officer then coordinates a
meeting with the family as soon as possible and schedules a social history
appointment. It is during the social history interview that the officer obtains
copies of the birth certificates and social security cards, release of
information forms signed by parents or guardians and general information
regarding the child and the family.
The
court officer will also make a determination to see if a psychological
assessment is needed for a particular child and will prepare a request as
needed. The court officer will also coordinate and obtain copies of school
records, medical records, prior placement records and evaluations, police
reports, restitution requests and any other documents that may assist the court
in its disposition of the case.
The
court officer will coordinate with the field officer to staff the case and
generate some recommendations for the court. The court officer will serve a
summons on occasion and will take a child into custody if ordered to do so by
the court. The court officer will insure that all court documents are correct
and complete before their distribution. The court officer is familiar with facts
of the case and will testify often in court. The court officer will on occasion
have to testify in criminal court regarding a suspect’s juvenile criminal
history. The court officers will prepare placement packets as necessary. The
court officers work closely with defense attorneys, prosecutors, judges,
doctors, school officials and other professionals to get the job done.
