The Juvenile Division prosecutes all cases of juvenile delinquency on referral from the Police Department and Department of Juvenile Services. The focus of the Juvenile Court is rehabilitation and treatment of the offender rather than punishment.
A juvenile may be charged with almost any crime that can be committed by an adult. Anyone under eighteen years of age is considered a juvenile. For certain crimes, a juvenile between fourteen and seventeen years of age may be charged as an adult.
When a juvenile is found to have committed a crime and to be in need of treatment, supervision or rehabilitation, they are said to be "delinquent" rather than "guilty".
Restitution up to $10,000 may be ordered to cover a loss due to stolen, damaged or destroyed property, or for medical bills, should the juvenile be found responsible for a crime.
Should you wish to charge a juvenile for a crime committed against you, a police report must be made and you must request the officer to file charges. All charges are initially referred to the Department of Juvenile Services. Depending on the nature of the charge, the matter will be handled by the Department of Juvenile Services or referred to the State's Attorney's Office to be reviewed for prosecution.
The majority of offenses committed by juveniles are reviewed and handled by the Department of Juvenile Services, either through informal hearings or arbitration hearings.
Numbers of Importance
| Organization | Phone Number |
| Department of Juvenile Services (Towson Office) | 410-512-4040 |
Department of Juvenile Services (Garrison Office) | 410-356-5774 |
| Department of Juvenile Services (Arbutus Office) | 410-455-5010 |
| Department of Juvenile Services (Dundalk Office) | 410-288-9100 |
Revised June 22, 2004
Courthouse 