Informal programs and outcomes
After a youth is charged with a crime in juvenile court, there are several informal outcomes that can result, including outcomes that can result in the dismissal of a case. Below is a brief description of such outcomes, listed from least restrictive to most restrictive on a youth.
Probation Informal Supervision (P.O.I.S.)
The youth is informally supervised by the Juvenile Probation Department for a period of 6 months without the need for the youth to formally admit the charge in court.
Once the youth completes all the requirements of the Informal Supervision program, their case is dismissed.
Felonies and misdemeanors qualify.
Court Informal Supervision (Court I.S.)
The youth is supervised by the Juvenile Court (via the Probation Department) for a period of 6 months without the need for the youth to formally admit the charge.
Once the youth completes all the requirements of the Informal Supervision Program, their case is dismissed.
Felonies and misdemeanors qualify, although for certain felonies, the Court is required to make specific findings first.
Non-Wardship Supervision (“Six Months Without Wardship”)
The youth is supervised by the Juvenile Court (via the Probation Department) for a period of 6 months and requires the youth to admit the charge first.
If the youth is successful at completing all required terms during the 6 months, their case would be dismissed; if not, they would be formally made a “ward” of the Juvenile Court.
The court loses jurisdiction at 6 months, so the case cannot be continued past the 6 months.
Limited felonies and misdemeanors qualify. This is a common disposition for juvenile DUI cases.
Deferred Entry of Judgment (DEJ)
The youth is supervised by the Juvenile Court (via the Probation Department) for a minimum of 12 months.
DEJ requires the youth to admit the felony offense(s).
The youth must be at least 14 years old at the time they admit the charge.
If a youth successfully completes all the required terms of their DEJ contract during the 12-month period (the period of supervision), then their case is dismissed, and their record is sealed.
The DEJ contract can be extended for up to three (3) years.
If a youth is unsuccessful on DEJ, they would then be formally made a “ward” of the Juvenile Court and be placed on formal juvenile probation.
DEJ only applies to felonies.
DEJ does not trigger certain collateral consequences such as a firearm restriction until the age of 30, and the offense is deemed to never have occurred.