Delaware County, Indiana

Indiana Juvenile Delinquency System

Juvenile proceedings are almost always closed to the public (and press) and even on appeal juveniles are referred to only by their initials. Similarly, pleadings in juvenile cases are generally sealed. However, the juvenile records and proceedings are open to the public when the alleged delinquent act is murder or a felony.

Juvenile proceedings fall into two categories: allegations that a child is delinquent and allegations that the child is a child in need of services (CHINS). In delinquency cases, the case is brought by prosecutors against children who are alleged to have committed a delinquent act (an offense that would be a crime if committed by an adult) or a status offense (offenses such as runaway or truancy that can be committed only by children). In CHINS cases, the Department of Child Services file petitions on behalf of the child needing services. CHINS cases generally involve allegations of abuse or neglect. Juries are not permitted in either type of case and information about specific cases is generally deemed confidential.

A guide for parents with juveniles in the juvenile justice system