What is a preliminary conference? Do I need a lawyer for a conference?

A preliminary conference is held with the minor and his or her family in order to determine if diversion from the juvenile court process would be appropriate. You would meet with an Intake Officer for approximately one hour. Questions are asked concerning the minor and his/her family’s home situation, school, peers and drug and alcohol usage. After gathering the appropriate information, the Intake Officer may recommend a Probation Adjustment and may make referrals to agencies such as Family and Individual Counseling, Drug and Alcohol Counseling and Advocacy. If a Probation Adjustment is not appropriate the Intake Officer will recommend that a delinquent petition be filed in Juvenile Court.

According to juvenile law, nothing said in a preliminary conference will be used against your child in court, therefore, an attorney is not required for the Preliminary Conference. However, if a family prefers to obtain an attorney, they may bring one to the conference.

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1. Where do I find out how many hours of Public or Community Service I have left?
2. What is the difference between parole and probation?
3. Where do I pay my traffic tickets and court-ordered fees?
4. Where can I park while visiting the Juvenile Court?
5. How do I contact the Juvenile Public Defender’s Office?
6. How do I contact the Juvenile States Attorney’s Office?
7. How do I contact the Juvenile Detention Center?
8. Where are the Juvenile Probation/Detention Services offices located?
9. What hours are you open?
10. My child is a runaway and or truant. Can they go to Juvenile Court for this?
11. I received a subpoena to come to court. What do I do now?
12. What is a preliminary conference? Do I need a lawyer for a conference?
13. How can the juvenile records be expunged or erased?
14. How much do I have to pay if my child gets involved in the Court System?
15. Can I have a copy of the police report?
16. How do I get my child admitted to the Detention Center?
17. How long does my child stay in the Detention Center?
18. Do you offer tours of the Detention Center?
19. Do the kids in the Detention Center attend school? Do they attend in the community?
20. Can parents bring clothes and other items to the detention center?
21. Can I bring my child to the Detention Center to scare him/her?
22. Can you recommend an attorney?