Washington DC Delinquency Services Summary
The District of Columbia is a combination state. Responsibility for administering delinquency services is divided between the judicial and executive branches.
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Washington DC Detention Services
How is detention organized?
The Department of Youth Rehabilitation Services administers juvenile detention. Delinquents who require secure detention are held at the new 80-bed Youth Services Center in Northeast DC. Ten contracted shelter homes provide staff-secure detention in District residential communities.
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The Director of Social Services recommends diverting cases to the Office of the Attorney General Juvenile Section. Statute section 16-2305.02 outlines the “adjustment process.”
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Washington DC Victim Rights and Services
Title VI of the Omnibus Juvenile Justice Act of 2004 is the Victims of Juvenile Offenders Bill of Rights and Delinquency Accountability.
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Washington DC Probation Supervision
The Superior Court's Social Services Division provides community supervision through Probation Officers whose caseloads are exclusively comprised of juvenile offenders. No standard sets caseload size. Instead, work is distributed on an equitable basis.
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Washington DC Probation Officer Qualifications, Certification, and Training
Probation Officers must have a bachelors’ degree in a related field or a bachelor’s degree plus three years of experience. The District of Columbia does not certify its probation officers.
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Washington DC Commitment to State
Juveniles are committed to the Department of Youth Rehabilitative Services (DYRS) and legal custody transfers to DYRS. The court may place juveniles already on probation in a private placement without committing the juvenile to the Department of Youth Rehabilitation Services.
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Washington DC Release from State Commitment
The Department of Youth Rehabilitation Services makes the release decision in all commitment cases.
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Washington DC Aftercare/Reentry
The Department of Youth Rehabilitation Services is implementing a continuum of care designed to prepare youth in successfully transitioning to adulthood and to decrease their likelihood of reentering the criminal justice system.
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Washington DC Purpose Clause
The District of Columbia’s purpose clause reflects Balanced and Restorative Justice (BARJ) philosophies.
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Washington DC Delinquency Jurisdiction
Lower Age: None specified
Upper Age: 17
Extended Age of Delinquency Jurisdiction: 20
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Washington DC Risk and Needs Assessments
The District of Columbia Superior Court Social Services Central Processing Unit administers a risk assessment tool on all youth who are arrested and transported to Court Social Services.
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