Process IN HURON COUNTY
The following is an explanation of how juvenile
cases proceed through the Family Division of the Circuit Court. Each case is handled on an individual basis, taking into account the juvenile's history, seriousness of the offense and likelihood of rehabilitation.
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(1)
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Petition Request When a police officer has probable cause that a crime has been committed and that a specific
juvenile has committed that crime, the officer requests the Prosecutor to authorize a petition.
(2)
Decision to Prosecute The Prosecutor determines whether a juvenile
should be charged with a crime and if so, what the specific charges will be. The Prosecutor then files the petition with the Family Division of the Circuit Court.
(3)
Diversion When a petition is filed with the Family
Division of the Circuit Court, the Court may place the case on the formal docket and the
case will proceed in a similar manner as an adult case does. Instead the Court may place the case on the consent calendar. Setting the case on the consent calendar occurs when the Court believes the best interest of the community requires Court intervention, but the juvenile doesn't appear to be a risk to public safety or a risk for future delinquent behavior. The juvenile must plead guilty to the crime
and then the Court will set terms and conditions for the juvenile to abide by for a probationary period. These terms and conditions
often include, but are not limited to, community service, writing an apology letter to the victim, or not having contact with the victim.
If a juvenile does not follow the terms and conditions set by the Court for the consent calendar then the case is set for adjudication and is
transferred to the formal docket.
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