The Youth Diversion Program’s purpose is to provide a community-based alternative to the formal court process in which first time misdemeanor offenders will be held accountable and make citizens aware of the needs of youth in their community and to encourage them through training and support to address those needs.
Teen Court is a community-based alternative to informally redirect youthful offenders by imposing logical and just consequences by their peers; foster an opportunity for teen volunteers to engage in civic responsibility and community involvement; and, promote greater exposure to the judicial system model.
DeKalb County Juvenile Court examined the accountability of teens and their driving behaviors and determined that youth needed to take more responsibility for their actions. As a result, Traffic Court began offering a program in which teens participate for a reduced fine.
Mediation is an informal process in which the parties are empowered to resolve their own differences with the assistance of a neutral third party. There are two types of Mediation, delinquency and dependency.
CROWNED is a 16-week program developed for teen girls to create positive self-images; self-esteem; identify positive role models and character traits; build confidence; establish healthy relationships and boundaries; identify talents and goals; and plan for their future.
The Community Service Program strives to hold youth accountable for their actions with the hope that we are redirecting their focus on becoming law abiding, productive citizens. In collaboration of caring agencies and organizations, the DeKalb County Juvenile Court Community Service Program has been able to provide quality service to the community and its victims for over 30 years.
Since 1991, over 800 citizen volunteers have been sworn in to serve as Judicial Citizen Review panel members in DeKalb County. Our volunteers represent a cross-section of various racial, socio-economic, religious and educational sectors of a community. Volunteers receive 15 hours of specialized training from the staff of the Council of Juvenile Court Judges and then become sworn officers of the court
