North Carolina is a centralized state. The Department of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention administers most delinquency services, encompassing some detention facilities, delinquency intake screening, probation supervision, commitment, and aftercare services.

How is detention organized?

The Department of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention administers nine regional detention facilities while county governments administer four detention facilities.

By statute, unless the offense requires a petition, such as murder, first or second-degree rape, or first-degree burglary, the intake counselor may divert the juvenile. Available diversion programs include restitution, community service, victim-offender mediation, and teen courts. By statute, after six months, the juvenile court counselor must close the diversion plan. 

The Juvenile Code purpose clause provides for "uniform procedures that assure fairness and equity and that protect the constitutional rights of the juveniles, parents, and victims." Juveniles are covered by the terms of the Fair Treatment for Certain Victims and Witnesses Act.

Department of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (DJJDP) juvenile court counselors supervise youth on probation. The district court judge determines the length (up to one year and may be extended for one year) and terms of probation.

Juvenile court counselors must have bachelor's degrees. The North Carolina Criminal Justice Education and Training Commission certifies juvenile court counselors. The Department of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention requires new counselors to complete a four-week basic training within one year of service.

Juveniles are committed to the Department of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (DDJDP). Upon commitment, the court sets the maximum commitment period based on the maximum sentence that an adult may receive for the committing offense. The maximum commitment period may be extended for treatment purposes.

The Department of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (DJJDP) makes release decisions, subject to the committing court's review. However, the court retains jurisdiction during placement and post-release phases of DJJDP supervision and can review progress on its own motion or the motion of the court counselor or the juvenile.

The Department of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (DJJDP) reintegrates youth into the community and (directly or through contract services) administers a range of programs. DJJDP creates individualized transition plans. DJJDP Court Counselors are directly involved in the community supervision of youth. 

North Carolina’s Purpose Clause emphasizes punishment, deterrence, accountability, and/or public safety and can loosely characterized as “tough” as is stresses community protection, offender accountability, crime reduction through deterrence or punishment.

Lower Age: 6

Upper Age: 15

Extended Age of Delinquency Jurisdiction: 20

Assessments are used for disposition, detention, and probation.  However, no specific information was available regarding the name or type of assessments used.