Deputies assigned to the Juvenile Division work with area police departments and families to assist in the needs of juveniles who have become involved in the criminal justice system or who are in need of services.
Child In Need of Services (CHINS): Deputies are often asked to assist with filing a CHINS petition with the Court. This petition is an instrument used to bring a juvenile before the Court in an effort to acquire services that might correct the juvenile’s behavior.
A “child in need of services” is a child who is under the age of 18 who meets one of the following criteria:
- Is lawfully required to attend school but is habitually truant without good cause.
- Habitually runs away from home.
- Repeatedly disregards the reasonable and lawful commands of the juvenile’s parents and places the juvenile or other in unsafe circumstances.
Though other parameters may exist, these are the grounds most often utilized for a CHINS petition.
The Court is concerned that other services within the community should have been tried before the Court gets involved. You should contact you local Youth Services or Youth Assistance office and avail yourself of their services first. Those living in the Tilton area can contact the Youth Assistance Program at 603-286-8577. Those living in the Laconia area can contact the Youth Services Bureau at 603-524-9457.
Parents can be held liable for all or a portion of the costs incurred for programs and services ordered by the Court.
Delinquent Youth: Any acts that would be chargeable for an adult are designated as delinquent acts when perpetrated by a juvenile. These charges would likely result in a delinquent petition being entered with the Court. Only law enforcement personnel may enter a delinquency petition.
Acts often addressed include shoplifting, assault, criminal mischief, disorderly conduct, criminal threatening, and criminal trespass. Should you observe these, or any other criminal behaviors, please contact your local police department immediately. Your local police department will process a report and, if they desire that the Sheriff’s Department handle the matter, will forward the report to us. We will then contact you as a victim or witness.
Criminal acts are generally considered to be delinquent acts until the juvenile reaches the age of 17. Thereafter, the Court handles criminal offenders as adults.
Youth Diversion & Restorative Justice: If the juvenile’s record shows that they have had no prior contact with the Juvenile Court system, then they Youth Diversion or Restorative Justice programs may be recommended. Juvenile diversion is a non-judicial process whereby a first-time offender is brought before a review board and tasked with completely a contract in a specified time period. The purpose for this is so that the juvenile will learn about the offense that was committed and recognize the fact that the offense reaches broader in the eyes of the victim and the community. These programs are a one-time opportunity. Failure to complete the contract results in a juvenile petition being filed with the Court and prosecuted.
The Restorative Justice program can be reached at 527-5493.
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