Juvenile Division

Juvenile court cases are tried to a magistrate or judge.  There is generally no right to a jury trial in Juvenile Court. There are two exceptions to this. This first involves adult criminal cases, which always includes the right to a jury trial. The second involves juvenile defendants who are to be labeled Serious Youth Offenders.

Juvenile Division
650 Dan Street
Akron, OH 44310-3989
330-643-2943 phone
330-379-3647 fax
Hours: 8:00 am - 4:30 pm

DEFINITIONS:

Dependent, Neglected or Abused:
Cases where a complaint is filed stating that a child is not being properly cared for by his/her parents or guardian and it is necessary for CSB to provide care for the child.

Juvenile Court has the important charge of ensuring that the children of Summit County live in a safe and healthy environment. Through the Childrenís Services Board (CSB), allegations of abuse and neglect are investigated and at times children are removed from their homes for their protection. Through various community agencies, parent(s) are provided with resources and services to help resolve the problems that made court involvement necessary. The Court oversees this process through an array of court hearings during the pendency of the case. The ultimate goal of court involvement is to ensure the child has a safe and permanent home within one year. The Juvenile Court focuses on the best interest of the child when making its determinations in these matters. To this end, the Court appoints a Guardian ad Litem for the child to represent the childís best interests. Certain circumstances require the services of an Attorney/Guardian ad Litem. The Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) Program provides intensive training to community volunteers who are dedicated to the safety and welfare of children. In many cases, Children are ultimately reunited with their parent(s): however, some situations require placement with relatives and/or eventual termination of parental rights.

Delinquent Child:
A child who violates any law that would be a criminal offense if committed by an adult, a child who is found to be truant or a child who violates an order issued by Juvenile Court.

Any child under age 18 who violates a law which would be a crime if committed by an adult is considered to be delinquent by definition. In 2002, Summit County Juvenile Court had 3,273 individual children charged with delinquent or unruly acts. Delinquent children are brought to Court either by the police or as a result of a summons from the Court. A Court Intake Officer reviews the Complaint against the child and decides what to do based upon available alternatives. The child may be referred back to a local police department for a ìdiversion programî or go through the official court process. This decision based on a number of factors, including the severity of the offense and the childís past involvement with the Juvenile Court. Once adjudicated delinquent, the child may be placed on probation, referred to one of many rehabilitative programs or sent to youth prison. The Judge or Magistrate makes this decision based on a variety of factors. Any child who has violated a law applicable only to a child, such as truancy, curfew violation, and runaway, is considered to be a status offender. Also included in this category are unruly/incorrigible children who do not subject themselves to the reasonable control of their parents or teachers by reason of being wayward or habitually disobedient. On a first-time complaint, the family may be referred to an appropriate community agency to assist in achieving and maintaining order in their home. The family must put forth effort in this process, attend the sessions, and follow the recommendations of the agency. If, after extended agency involvement, the family is unable to maintain stability or achieve satisfactory resolution, the Court may intervene and provide probation or other services.

Incorrigible Child:
A child deemed unmanageable by parents or guardians.

Legal Custody:
A legal status that gives the custodian the right and responsibility to have physical care and control of the child, subject to the rights of the parents. Legal custody does not terminate parental rights.

Summit County Juvenile Court addresses requests for custody by a non-parent (third-party), where Summit County Children Services Board (CSB) has not already initiated an action regarding the child. The Court also hears cases regarding modifications of custody orders, where Juvenile Court earlier awarded Legal Custody to a non-parent. Juvenile Court may assume jurisdiction of these third-party custody cases, only when the subject child is not a ward of any other court. Before the Court will award Legal Custody of a child to a non-parent, the Court must make two findings: (1) the parents are unfit or not suitable to raise the child, and (2) it is in the best interest of the child to award custody to the requesting party. Unlike cases in which CSB is involved, the Court does not automatically appoint a Guardian ad Litem for the child. The Court may, however, appoint a Guardian when circumstances indicate that the child requires an advocate to represent the childís best interest. Further, where evidence indicates abuse, neglect, dependency or other concern for the childís health or safety, the Court will refer the matter to CSB for investigation.

Permanent Custody:
A legal status where CSB is granted all parental rights, duties and obligations to the child, including the right to consent to adoption, and all the parental rights, privileges and obligations of the parents are terminated permanently.

Protective Supervision:
The court permits a child who is found to be abused, neglected or dependent to remain in the custody of his/her parent(s) subject to supervision and conditions set forth by the court and CSB.

Temporary Custody:
Occurs when a child is removed from his/her home and custody of the child is granted to CSB or another person other than the parent. Temporary custody may be terminated at any time at the discretion of the court.

Planned Permanent Living Arrangement (PPLA):
The court gives legal custody of the child to CSB without terminating the parents' rights and CSB is permitted to place the child with an appropriate foster care provider.

Sealing Records:
Two years from the date a case is closed, a youth or his/her parents may request that their case be expunged. A form is available from the court. A juvenile record does not automatically become sealed on their 18th birthday.

CASA/Guardian Ad Litem
330-643-2902
The Court Appointed Special Advocate Program/Guardian ad Litem (CASA/GAL) Program enlists the help of volunteers to assist the court make decisions that are in the best interest of children who are under court supervision.

The CASA/GAL Program recruits, trains, coordinates and supports the volunteers. As advocates for the children, the volunteers independently investigate, monitor, facilitate and gather and report information in cases involving abuse and neglect. Advocates network with parents, social workers, foster parents, school officials, attorneys, medical personnel and/or anyone who is involved in the childís life to reach solutions and outcomes that best benefit the child.

The Crossroads Program
330-643-2910
The Crossroads Program accepts children with substance abuse/dependence problems and mental illness, most commonly referred to as ìco-occurring disorders.î Juveniles with significant substance abuse or dependence issues with no mental health issues are also accepted into the program, which lasts a minimum of one year.

Each child has a case plan and community agencies provide services to the children and their families, including treatment for substance abuse and mental health, family and individual counseling, educational, vocational and employment services. Drug screening is conducted regularly while the child is in the program.

Participants are required to attend regular court hearings to review progress and sanctions are issued for program violations. Frequency of court reviews also decrease as the children progress through the program with positive rewards offered for children who achieve program goals.

The program also works with parents and children to strengthen and improve the family unit through counseling.

Community Curfews
Should you be found in violation of the curfew laws in your city, town or village you could be subject to penalties which include the following: community service involving working on weekends, curtailed curfew (you would need to be in your home hours before the normal curfew) and house arrest.

Truancy and curfew violations go hand-in-hand. You should know that there are stricter truancy laws on the books since the Ohio State Legislature passed Senate Bill 181 in September 2000. The law now requires that school-aged youths up to age 18 attend school or face a court hearing resulting in fines and court costs and/or community service. The new law also holds the parent or guardian equally responsible for their child's truancy. Sanctions may include mandatory mediation and parenting classes, community service, a $500 fine and possibly even jail time. The choice is simple: the classroom or the courtroom. Go to school. Itís the law.

Akron
Under 18, 11p-5a Everyday, 6yrs-18yrs, 8:30a-2:30p School Days

Barberton
Under 18, 11p-5a Everyday

Bath
Under 18, 11p-5a Everyday

Boston Heights
Under 18, 11p-6a Sunday-Thursday, 12a-5a Friday & Saturday

Copley
Under 18, 11p-5a Everyday

Coventry
Under 18, 11p-5a Everyday

Cuyahoga Falls
Under 18, 11p-5a Sunday-Thursday, 12a-5a Friday & Saturday

Fairlawn
Under 16, 10p-5a Everyday, 16yrs-18yrs 11p-5a Everyday

Franklin
Under 18, 11p-5a Everyday

Green
Under 18, 11p-5a Everyday

Hudson
15 and under, 11p-5a Everyday, 16yrs & 17yrs 12a-5a Everyday

Lakemore
Under 18, 11p-5a Everyday

Munroe Falls*
12yrs-18yrs 11p-5:30a Sunday-Thursday, 12a-5:30a Friday & Saturday

Northfield
Under 18, 10p-5a Everyday

Norton*
12yrs-18yrs 11p-5:30a Sunday-Thursday, 12a-5:30a Friday & Saturday

Reminderville
Under 18, 10:30p-5:30a Everyday Richfield Under 18, 11p-5a Everyday

Sagamore Hill
Under 18, 11p-5a Everyday Silver Lake Under 18, 11p-5:30a Everyday

Springfield Under
18, 11p-5a Everyday Stow Under 18, 11p-6a Sunday-Thursday, 12a-6a Friday & Saturday

Tallmadge
Under 18, 11p-5a Sunday-Thursday, 12a-5a Friday & Saturday

Twinsburg**
Under 18, 11p-6a Sunday-Thursday, 12a-6a Friday & Saturday