The juvenile officer handles cases involving youths under the age of 17. 

He handles these cases differently than those over 17 years of age as

he attempts to mediate and advocate youth as opposed to taking out

charges in some cases.  When he has no other choice he will charge

the youth in the juvenile system.  He works with the juvenile probation

department if a youth shows signs of delinquency.  The parents of the

youth may obtain a CHINS warrant in order to guide the youth and keep

their destructive behavior away.   He maintains constant contact with the

schools in the town as well as with state agencies including the Department of

Social Services and the Department of Youth Services.  The juvenile officer’s

goal is to guide youth through the “Bumpy” times in their childhood to

become respected adults.