Juvenile Justice Division

Juvenile delinquency and child protection actions are prosecuted in the Juvenile Justice Division. 

Juvenile delinquency cases involve criminal acts committed by individuals under the age of seventeen. A juvenile charged with a crime is afforded the same rights to a trial as an adult.

There are generally many more sentencing options available and the judge considers what options would both rehabilitate the juvenile while protecting the public from his/her criminal acts.

When a parent or guardian neglects or abuses their child, they may end up in court in a child protection proceeding.

In some circumstances we urge the court to remove the child from the home and in the most blatant cases will seek to terminate the parents' rights to the child so that the child may be adopted into a safe and loving home.

If you wish to report a crime which has been committed by a juvenile, please contact your local police department and file a report.

For questions involving community resources available for delinquent youth, contact the following:

Family Division, Circuit Court, Intake Department:
248-858-0033

Youth Assistance:
248-858-0055.

If you have information or a belief that a child has been abused or neglected, please contact Children's Protective Services. Your identity will remain confidential unless you consent to its release. During business hours, please call one of the offices listed below for your zip code. During non-business hours you can call the 24 hour Children's Protective Services line at 248-975-5010.

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