Arkansas is a decentralized state, meaning that delinquency services are organized at both the state and local level.

How is detention organized? 

Secure detention is funded at the local level and administered by county boards, law enforcement agencies, or the juvenile court.

Prosecuting attorneys make diversion decisions after consulting with intake officers. Statute A.C.A. 9-27-323 outlines the conditions of diversion and limits options to non-judicial probation, participation in a court-approved education, counseling or treatment program, or participation in a court-approved teen court.

Arkansas Crime Victim Rights Law (16-90-1101 to 1115) extends rights to victims of certain crimes.

Juvenile divisions of local circuit courts must support at least one juvenile "intake officer" and one "juvenile probation officer" as county employees or through contract services. Designated juvenile probation officers for each circuit court's juvenile division provide community supervision of youth placed on probation.

By statute, the state court certifies designated juvenile intake and probation officers after a four-week program administered by the Administrative Office of the Courts. Initial certification must be completed within one year of employment.

Youth are committed to the legal custody of the Division of Youth Services (DYS). When entering an order for a DYS commitment, the court must consider the Administrative Office of the Court's Risk Assessment System for Arkansas Juvenile Offenders under A.C.A. 9-28-208 and 9-27-330, (a)(1)(B)(i).

The committing court may submit a written request for a youth to be released from Division of Youth Services (DYS) custody. However, by statute, the agency makes the final determination concerning the length of commitment and release.

The Division of Youth Services (DYS) has developed casework management services for youth committed to DYS facilities. Case managers maintain regular contact with the youth while in placement, develop release plans, and provide services to the families of youth in placement. They also serve as an advocate or liaison to the youth’s community while they are in placement.

Arkansas’ Purpose Clause reflects the Standard Juvenile Court Act. Enacted in 1925 and revised numerous times, The Act proposed the idea that each child coming into court jurisdiction shall receive the care, guidance, and control that will be conducive to his welfare and to the best interest of the state.

Lower Age: 10

Upper Age: 17

Extended Age of Delinquency Jurisdiction: 20

In an attempt to provide some statewide uniformity and structure to decision-making for disposition, the Arkansas Administrative Office of the Courts developed a risk assessment instrument to guide recommendations for disposition presented with the predisposition study.