Court Services
- Judicial Education
- Children's Programs
- CAP Court Reassessment
Youth Courts
** Proposed Youth Court Policy Changes **
Montana's 22 District Courts also act as the State's 22 Youth Courts. Under the direction of the District Court Judge, the Youth Court staff manages caseloads of youth charged with offenses under the Montana Youth Court Act. Youth Court staff including a chief probation officer in each district, juvenile probation officers and support staff.
Youth Courts work under the balanced and restorative justice model where youth are held accountable for criminal behavior while also receiving appropriate services to assist the youth in developing necessary life skills.
Montana youth courts work very hard to create innovative approaches to reduce the number of out-of-home placements of youth. Through the state-funded Juvenile Delinquency Intervention Act, many youth courts have created early intervention programs that are targeted to youths at high risk of committing crimes. These early intervention programs assist in reducing the number of out-of-home placements, allow youth to be treated and served within their home communities, and also help to reduce the long-term budget needs within judicial districts.
In 2003, youth courts in Montana handled 16,801 offenses. Juvenile probation, an integral part of Montana's youth court handled the vast majority of these cases in 2003. Only 1,386 cases originating in youth court were sent before a youth court judge for further judicial action.
