How is my child referred to the juvenile probation office?

A child is referred to the juvenile probation office by local police departments if they are between the ages of 10 and 18 and are alleged to have committed criminal charges consisting of misdemeanor or felony offenses. A juvenile referral form is submitted by the arresting office listing the juvenile's information, the alleged charges, and a detailed summary of what allegedly occurred. The police officer may inform you or your child that criminal charges are being filed but they are not obligated to do so.

Can a juvenile be fingerprinted or photographed?

In Pennsylvania, a juvenile who has been charged with a misdemeanor or felony offense may be fingerprinted or photographed. If a juvenile is adjudicated delinquent on any misdemeanor or felony offense, then by law, they are mandated to be fingerprinted and photographed.

 Additionally the juvenile be required to submit to a DNA sample if he/she is adjudicated delinquent of a felony offense or certain sexual based misdemeanor offenses.

Why was my child detained?

Adams County Juvenile Probation will determine whether a juvenile presents a significant risk of harm to themselves or others if he or she remained in the community. Juveniles can also be detained if there is a concern that they will not appear for a court hearing.

What happens after my child is detained?

A hearing will take place before a Judge within 72 hours of a juvenile’s detention. This hearing will determine whether the juvenile will remain in detention or be released back to the community. A probation officer will contact you to provide details related to the hearing including the time and date.

What happens if my child has been arrested and criminally charged by the police but was not detained?

All charges are referred to the juvenile probation office. When the juvenile probation office receives a referral form, it is reviewed by a department supervisor to determine if a diversionary program would be an appropriate option. A letter from the probation office will be sent to the juvenile and family indicating a date and time for your child's intake interview.

What happens at the intake interview?

The intake interview consists of the juvenile, parents, Intake Probation Officer and the juvenile's attorney (if parents/juvenile desire to have one present at the interview) and is conducted at the Adams County Probation Department. At the Intake interview, the alleged criminal charges will be reviewed. Your child will be asked if they are going to plead guilty or not guilty.

If pleading guilty, the Intake Officer will continue to gather important information concerning your child's homelife, school, employment and any possible counseling he/she is involved in. A YLS risk assessment will also be completed. This information will be used to present a dispositional recommendation to the Juvenile Court concerning your child.

If your child pleads not guilty, a Determination of Guilt Hearing will be scheduled in Juvenile Court before the Juvenile Court Judge. Your child will be represented by a lawyer who can assist in his/her defense. At the end of the hearing, the Judge will determine whether your child is not guilty of the alleged charges or if he/she is to be adjudicated delinquent.

Will my son/daughter be represented by legal counsel in Juvenile Court?

Your child has a right to be represented by counsel in Juvenile Court proceedings. Should your child be scheduled to appear before the Juvenile Court Judge, you may wish to obtain a private attorney to represent your child. If you choose not to obtain a private attorney, the Court will appoint a Public Defender to represent your child at no cost to you. 

Adams County Public Defender’s Office 111 Baltimore Street, Room 6 Gettysburg, PA 17325

Office Hours: 8:00a.m. – 4:30p.m. Monday – Friday

Direct Phone: 717-337-9842 

What are the expectations of my child if they end up on probation?

If your child is granted probation by the Court, he/she will be expected to follow the Case Plan that is created with the juvenile probation officer. Juveniles on probation will be responsible for attending all scheduled appointments with the juvenile probation officer. Depending on each case, juveniles may also have to (1) pay restitution (2) complete community service (3) attend drug and alcohol counseling (4) submit to random urine screens (5) attend family therapy (6) complete mental health counseling (7) maintain appropriate school behavior (8) submit to electronic monitoring/house arrest.

What are the collateral consequences of my child being Adjudicated Delinquent?

Collateral Consequences of an Adjudication of Delinquency

How does the juvenile expungement process occur after he/she has successfully completed probation?

No action is required by the juvenile or his/her family. In Adams County, the juvenile probation department files and completes the expungement process without any action from the juvenile or family. Depending on a juvenile’s disposition, one of the following three situations will occur:

 (1) If a juvenile’s allegations are withdrawn or dismissed the expungement process begins after the Department receives the signed Court Order.

 (2) If a juvenile was given a Consent Decree or Informal Adjustment Disposition, the expungement process begins six months after the probation supervision ends. If there is no further involvement with the Court and nothing is pending the matter will be expunged.

 (3) If a juvenile was Adjudicated Delinquent, the expungement process begins 5 years after probation supervision ends. If the individual has any misdemeanor or felony convictions as an adult, their juvenile record will not be expunged.