There are currently three Assistant State’s Attorneys assigned to the Juvenile Division. This division handles cases involving delinquency of minors and truancy, as well as those involving abuse, neglect and dependency of minors.
Juvenile delinquency cases involve minors under the age of 18 who are charged with committing a felony or misdemeanor. These cases are handled confidentially. The State’s Attorney’s Office works closely with the Juvenile Probation Department to determine what services would be most appropriate for each minor and his or her family.
Penalties in juvenile delinquency cases range from probation to detention in the Sangamon County Juvenile Detention Center, and, for the most serious crimes, incarceration in the Illinois Department of Juvenile Justice.
The Juvenile Division of the Sangamon County State’s Attorney’s Office also focuses on children who are abused, neglected or dependent. The goal in these types of cases is to ensure that children reside in an appropriate and caring environment. To effectuate this goal, the Juvenile Division works with the Department of Children and Family Services and its contracting agencies to ensure necessary services are provided to the families. If the goal cannot be met, the State’s Attorney’s Office may initiate proceedings seeking termination of parental rights.
In addition, the Juvenile Division works with the Regional Office of Education for Sangamon County in cases of education neglect and chronic truancy. The goal in these cases is for minors to return to school on a regular basis as soon as possible with guided instruction and oversight.