Intake Related Questions
- Do I need an attorney?
Every juvenile has the right to have an attorney throughout the court process. The Probation Officer is not an attorney and cannot give legal advice at any time. Your child will be provided with an opportunity to discuss with the parent determine if they would like to hire a private attorney, have court-appointed counsel, or proceed without an attorney.
- Why do I need to provide financial documentation?
Some fees are based on income. Financial documentation allows the Court to determine if certain fees are waived or are assessed.
- What if I choose not to sign an Informal Agreement?
The State of Indiana will request the filing of a delinquency petition and the case will proceed to formal Court.
- How long does an Informal Adjustment last?
An Informal Adjustment lasts up to six months unless an extension of three months is necessary and approved at a later date.
- Do I have to appear for Court?
Yes, as a parent/guardian, you are responsible for your child until he/she is released from the Court’s jurisdiction, even after they turn eighteen years of age.
- Can anyone attend a court hearing?
No, juvenile court hearings are confidential, so they are not open to the public.
- What can I bring to Court?
You cannot bring electronic devices and/or weapons into the building.
- Who determines the charges against a juvenile?
The Prosecutor has the sole responsibility to determine appropriate charges.
- How long will I be at Court?
It is difficult to predict the length of time you will spend at court. If your hearing is scheduled in the morning, you should plan to be here until noon. If your hearing is scheduled in the afternoon, you should plan to be here until the end of the business day.
- How much does DAP cost?
DAP is included in probation and court fees; there are no additional fees ordered, unless you need to purchase a phone line.
- My child has not been adjudicated yet, so why is my child on the DAP program? Aren’t people considered to be innocent until proven guilty?
The juvenile system does not permit juveniles to bond out. This option (if the Court deems it appropriate) allows a juvenile to remain in their home setting pending their next court hearing.
- Is my yard considered to be part of the house?
No. DAP home detention and DAP anklet do not permit the juvenile to be in any part of the yard.
- Can I work while on DAP?
Yes, juvenile’s released on the DAP program are allowed to continue working at their current employment.
- Can I take showers, bath, and/or swim while wearing an anklet?
Yes. The anklet is waterproof.
- What does it mean when the box beeps, or the lights change colors?
If the unit beeps, or makes noises, check the outlets and cords to ensure that there is a proper connection. If the unit continues to beep, or make noise, this could mean that there is a phone line problem, or power outage. If this happens, you should immediately contact the DAP Office. As to the lights changing colors, this is not an issue that the client needs to be concerned with.
- What does it mean if I hear a screeching noise while talking on the phone?
The screeching noise is a computer trying to communicate with the electronic monitoring unit. When this noise is heard, you should immediately hang up and wait 5-10 minutes to resume your call.
- The anklet strap irritates my skin, what should I do?
Apply lotion or baby powder. It will take a few days to get used to wearing the anklet.
- What do we do if we plan to move to another residence?
Call and notify the DAP Office. If your child is under anklet supervision, you will need to secure a phone line at the new residence before the child can be moved. If the phone line is not secured, your child will be held in detention until the new phone line is installed.
- What if the power or phone line is disconnected or breaks while my child is on the anklet?
Probation officers will try to work with the family in this situation. However, without power, or a phone line, a juvenile cannot adequately be supervised. This could lead to the juvenile being held in detention until the power, or phone line is restored. It should be noted that probation understands that these are circumstances beyond the juvenile’s control, therefore, this will not negatively affect their probation performance.
- What happens to my child if the family needs to go out of town?
If parental supervision becomes an issue at any time, a court hearing may need to be scheduled to address the matter. Options that would be considered would be to allow an approved guardian to stay with the child, or the child could be detained until the parents return.
Placement Related Questions
- How does the Probation Department determine when my child needs to be placed?
The Intake and/or Field Probation Officer will staff the case with various members of the probation department, school corporation representatives, and mental health agencies. Typically there is a vote for placement if the child has one or more of the following concerns: mental health issues, significant substance abuse issues, failure to respond to probation services, failure to respond to community counseling services, significant family issues, and/or seriousness of the offense.
- How does the Probation Officer decide where to place my child?
The Placement Officers review the needs of the child and family to determine the best placement facility for the child. The Placement Officers have knowledge of the numerous placement providers within the state of Indiana, each placement specializing in various treatment modalities. The Placement Team is familiar with each agency and will discern if a juvenile needs foster care placement or residential treatment based on the specific needs.
- What am I to expect if my child is ordered into placement?
A Placement Officer should be in contact with you to assist in answering questions and providing you as much information as possible as to the placement of your child. As a parent or guardian of the child, you will be expected to be fully involved in your child’s placement treatment plan. You are seen as a member of the “treatment team” and therefore your input is vital to your child’s care, treatment and rehabilitation. You are still responsible to provide your child with clothing and other basic necessities when he/or she is in placement.
- If my child goes to placement, do I lose my parental rights?
No. The child becomes a Ward of the Court, giving Probation the authority of placement and care.