The purpose of the 34th Judicial Circuit Juvenile Office is to provide prevention, intervention and protection services to children, families and the community, while promoting collaborative partnerships with private and public entities in an ongoing effort to improve the quality of life for the citizens of Pemiscot and New Madrid counties.
The 34th Juvenile Office's values include:
- Access to Justice
- Due Process
- Expedition and Timeliness
- Equality, Fairness and Integrity
- Independence and Accountability
- Public Trust and Confidence
DEPARTMENT SERVICES
Role of the Juvenile Office: An office having only special jurisdiction dealing with children under the age of eighteen. It is a division of the Circuit Court. It is designed to provide protection, treatment and rehabilitation. Children are not treated as criminals, but as persons needing care, education, protection and guidance. (see Chapter 211, RSMo.)
The Juvenile Office handles three types of cases. Status Offenses, Delinquency and Child Abuse & Neglect
- Status Offenses are offenses that are only offenses due to a persons age. Examples of these offenses are: Runaway, Truancy, Beyond Parental Control and Behavior Injurious to Self or Others.
- Delinquency offences are violations of the criminal code of Missouri which are the same for adults. Examples of these offenses are: violent offenses, property offenses, drug offenses, sexual offenses, offenses against publis order, etc.
- Child Abuse & Neglect are offenses committed by a parent, guardian or custodian against their child. These offenses include the following: Physical Abuse, Sexual Abuse, Emotional Abuse, Neglect Improper Care & Supervision, Educational
- Neglect and Neglect - a child otherwise without proper care and custody.
The primary emphasis of the 34th Circuit Juvenile Office is to always act in the best interest of the child which is also the child welfare policy of the State of Missouri.
