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1. What's the difference between other Judicial Courts and the Juvenile Court?

The juvenile court has original, exclusive jurisdiction over cases involving minors, whether delinquency or dependency and neglect

2. How is "juvenile" defined in Tennessee?

A juvenile is a minor child or youth under the age of 18.

3. At what age can a minor be prosecuted as an adult for the commission of a crime?

At age 16 if that age at the time of the offense, or younger than 16 if charged with the most serious offenses, such as first and second degree murder, rape, aggravated rape, rape of a child aggravated kidnapping, aggravated robbery, or especially aggravated offenses such as robbery and kidnapping. Rarely is a youth under 15 prosecuted as an adult although there are some instances involving the most serious offenses.

4. Are juvenile cases and records confidential?

Yes. Juvenile records are protected and available only to those directly involved in the case.

5. What are the legal rights of parents in juvenile cases?

Parents and/or legal guardians have the right to be notified and kept informed about all the procedural steps involved in a delinquency case and they often participate in the resolution by helping enforce probation requirements or getting special help such as counseling or substance abuse treatment for their child. In dependency and neglect cases, parents are also entitled to legal representation if they are indigent.

6. What are restitution payments?

When a juvenile has been found guilty of an offense such as vandalism or theft of property, he or she can be required to pay for the damage or loss. Such payments are to make restitution or to restore to the victim full or partial compensation for the damage or loss.

7. What can the Juvenile Justice system do to help kids before they have problems?

Through collaboration and partnerships with other agencies and community-based organizations Juvenile Court helps identify youths with threshold offenses such as truancy and vandalism. The Court also connects youths who have mental health and substance abuse issues with community resources. The purpose of these efforts is to intervene early in the juvenile's life pattern with the goal of preventing him or her from "graduating" into more serious offenses and getting deeper into the juvenile justice system.

8. What happens if my child is found guilty of a crime?

A child adjudicated delinquent or found guilty of committing an offense that if committed by an adult would be a crime has several options depending on the nature of the offense and his or her history with the Court. A child might be placed on unsupervised probation and required to perform community service if the charge is less serious and it is a first time offense. Depending on the charge, a juvenile might be placed on supervised probation and required to wear an electronic monitor. On more serious offenses, the juvenile could be committed to the Department of Children's Services where he or she might be housed in a secure facility. On the most serious charges, a juvenile can be transferred to the adult system where all further proceedings take place in the Criminal Court.

9. Will he go to jail?

A juvenile transferred to the adult system can be sentenced to prison. However, persons who are sentenced for crimes committed while they were juveniles cannot be sentenced to life without parole or to death.

10. Can Juvenile cases and records be expunged?

Yes. A juvenile who turns 18 can petition the Court for expunction if he or she is one year removed from the most serious offense, has not been convicted of a crime following transfer to the adult system, has not been convicted of a sexual offense or of a violent sexual offense, and has maintained a good record of responsible conduct for at least one year before filling the petition.

11. How do I find out when my child is going to court?

Call Juvenile Court at (901) 405-8530 and give your name and the name of the child.

12. How do I handle my child who is not obeying the rules of probation?

Call the auxiliary probation officer who has been assigned to your child. Most problems can be resolved by working with that officer.

13. May I bring my child to Juvenile Court and drop them off?

No. Charges initially must be filed with a local law enforcement agency (such as the Memphis Police Department or the Shelby County Sheriff's Department) before a child can be brought to the court by that agency.

14. How do I locate a mental health or substance abuse provider?

The triage probation counselors have access to a resource directory that can sort providers according to your needs.

15. If I live in Shelby County, where do I go to get assistance with my unruly child?

Juvenile Court
616 Adams Ave.
Room 230
Memphis, TN 38105
Ph: (901) 405-8530

Note: No appointment is necessary. The parent / guardian and the child should come to the court where they can receive assistance and/or referrals for appropriate services.

Juvenile Court is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 am - 4:30, excluding holidays.