Belmont County Juvenile Court

Court Programs

The Court utilizes various programs to assure public safety, consequences for inappropriate behavior, rehabilitation, and structure to the lives of youth and families served by the Court. The goal of the Court is to reduce recidivism, provide assistance to victims of crime, and respond to antisocial behaviors and needs of youth and families in our community.

The Belmont County Juvenile Court also has a purpose to serve not only delinquent and unruly youth but also the needs of both dependent and neglected children in providing for their care, protection, mental and physical development and well-being.

The court utilizes various funding sources to ensure the success of the court programs. Through contracts and grants with the Ohio Department of Youth Services, the Department of Job and Family Services, the Federal Government and others the court receives over $400,000.00 annually to support the programs of the Court.

Probation Department / Probation Department Programs

The Probation Department of the Juvenile Division of the Common Please Court is a very active department, consisting of a Chief Probation Officer and four Probation Officers. All five officers have heavy caseloads assigned to them in which they are actively involved. Additionally, all officers have the following required duties:

1. Filing Violation of Law/Court Orders through the Prosecutor's Office

2. Testifying in Court hearings.

3. Serving as Court Bailiff

4. Attending ongoing education and training sessions

5. Writing and filing reports

6. Public Speaking

7. Monitoring those under Court supervision for probation or Court orders

8. Utilizing arrest authority when appropriate

Probation Officers work closely and regularly with the Prosecutor's Office, schools, police, community and the various support agencies in the County. Attempts are made to have personal "face to face" contact with not only those on probation, but all agencies with which this department has a business relationship.

As a Probation Department in the Juvenile Division, not only parents and custodians are dealt with on a regular basis but also adults who have been convicted of contributing to the delinquency or unruliness of a child are supervised. The department is currently supervising an ever increasing number of adults.

It is the Probation Department's belief that in order to be an effective, knowledgeable operation, it is mandatory to be out in the schools, police departments and community as much as possible in order to properly supervise those on probation. It is also of utmost importance that the Probation Officers know the respective environments of those they supervise and to know the issues that the clients must face on a daily basis. This, we have found, is the reason people act as they do. An ongoing, ever escalating abuse of alcohol and drugs, deterioration in parental supervision and lack of home environment conducive to values are the primary reasons for more and more youth becoming involved in the criminal justice system.

It is also paramount to the Court's position that rehabilitation of the juvenile offender is our objective through accountability, responsibility, treatment and supervision. However, the public safety and welfare must be of primary concern when deciding what is the appropriate action that is to be taken.

Probation Department Programs:

The Probation Department has worked as a team to implement programs designed to educate and reduce recidivism. These programs require the Probation Officer to be involved in public speaking before school, various support agencies and civic organizations. Due to this and other required duties, the Probation Officer is often working long after normal, weekday only, courthouse hours of operation. It is not unusual for the Probation Officer to be involved with cases or questions on weekends, holidays and in the early morning hours.

Truancy Program:

The Truancy Program in the Belmont County Juvenile Court works in cooperation with Belmont County Student Services and is funded through the River Schools Initiative Grant. This program serves all schools in Belmont County. The Truancy Program is designed to prevent and eliminate truancy or unexcused absences among the students in Belmont County. The Truant Officer works directly with the schools for early intervention with students who have attendance problems and will also work with the students and their families to help resolve any issues/obstacles that can lead to truancy. Students and parents not following the school’s attendance policies will face sanctions and discipline through the Belmont County Juvenile Court as described in the Ohio Revised Code regarding truancy.

The Internship Program:

The Internship Program is one in which college students completing their required Practicum are assigned to the Probation Department as "Intern Probation Officers" through an agreement between the Court, the educational institution and the student. The student experiences the everyday operations of the Court and the probation department through a "hands on" approach. Through this program, the student is able to observe first hand the operation of the Court and the Probation Department. They also assist in dealing with youth, parents, and adults, along with the various agencies with which the Court deals on a daily basis.

The Law and You Program:

The Law and You Program is one in which a probation officer is in the high-school classroom speaking to a class regarding both the juvenile and adult criminal justice system. This is followed by a classroom discussion involving the teacher, students, and the probation officer.

C-CAP (Concentrated Conduct Adjustment Program)

Mission Statement:

We believe that all juveniles involved in the C-CAP Program are capable of learning the skills necessary to attain their place in our society as proactive, honest, and practicing citizens of this County, State and Country. Instructors provide examples and instructions to improve self-esteem, and individual counseling, and overall discipline of the program instills a strong work ethic, consistency of behavior, and develops the ability to handle all consequences for their actions. We believe that the C-CAP experience helps juveniles to live happier and more abundant lives, showing respect for themselves and others.

The C-CAP Program (Concentrated Conduct Adjustment Program) is a program with three components. The concept of C-CAP was developed in June, 1995. Before C-CAP, there was no other service available through the Court to help youth build self-esteem, break bonds of dysfunction and challenge them to find internal physically and emotionally strength and to make rapid and effective change in their lives. These youth are in need of supervision in their activities and movements. They need monitoring and need to be challenged both physically and intellectually.

I. Court Ordered Youth

These youth have have charges filed against them and appear in Court. The Judge then sentences them to the C-CAP Program. These youth must remain in the program until the C-CAP staff recommend them for graduation. Youth may be in this program from six months to one year and attend on Saturdays or weekdays during the Summer.

Goals:
To change the manner in which a juvenile behaves in school, at home and in public.

To develop self-esteem, discipline, self-confidence and leadership skills

To enhance coping skills, anger management skills and acceptance of consequences for their behavior.

If a youth is Court Ordered into the program, the parent(s) are Court Ordered to attend parenting classes.

II. C-CAP Diversion Program: (Through the Schools)

These youth are referred to the program through the local School Districts. They are required to be in the program for six (6) weeks on Saturdays.

Goals:
To aid schools in controlling truancy problems.

To aid schools in handling "unruly" behavior.

To give schools an alternative to out-of-school suspension.

To deter students from future behaviors that could involve court proceedings.

The primary activities in the C-CAP Court Ordered Program and the C-CAP Diversion Program are as follows:

1. Having the youth follow an intensive probation, being checked on weekly, even daily if necessary.

2. Keeping in close contact with schools, family, other agencies that are dealing with the child. This activity is similar to a case manager of a worker that provides wraparound services to youth.

3. Keeping the Court informed on a weekly basis as to the youth's progress.

4. School is another primary activity. Close contact with the various schools, weekly and monthly staffing regarding C-CAP youth.

5. Boot Camp is another activity that is structured in military style. Youth participate on Saturdays during the school year and Mon-Fri 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM through the summer.

6. The Community Beautification Program is an important activity. It gets the youth out of the community and makes them feel as if they are giving something back. This builds pride in accomplishments and self-esteem. All of these activities will keep the youth that are already Court involved, in school, out of secure detention, and will build a better foundation for their lives.

III. C-CAP Alternative School:

This program is designed to further augment the schools' Assertive Discipline Plan. It is designed to replace out-of-school suspensions.

Goals
The Alternative School will keep the students from being at home during their suspension.

The Alternative School will help support the school districts in combating non-compliance schools.

To help these students obtain a better understanding of their school problems.

To give an alternative to the traditional school setting.

School Guidelines:

1. Students suspended from school will be required to attend the C-CAP Alternative School for the period of their suspension.

2. If a Student is suspended three (3) times, the school will file an Unruly charge on the student and he/she will come before the judge.

3. The students home school will send their assignments which they will complete with the assistance of the Alternative School teacher. The teacher will send the completed homework back to the school and the student will receive a passing grade for his/her assignments.

4. Crossroads Counseling Service comes to the school once a week for a lecture on drugs and alcohol and will do assessments and referral for more individual counseling if necessary.

5. Community Mental Health Services come once every two (2) weeks and does evaluations on the students. They will make referrals also.

6. Students take part in a physical activity daily.

Carteens

The Court in conjunction with The Ohio State University Extension Office began Carteens in 2000. The Carteens supervisor enlists the help of teen leaders to teach and supervise the program. Troopers from the highway patrol and inmates from the Belmont Correctional Institute participate in the program also.

This program is offered to a first-time traffic offender rather than coming to court for a formal adjudication. Alcohol related offenses and aggravated offenses are not eligible for Carteens. The program lasts approximately 3 hours. A parent is required to attend with their child. The program is designed to increase teen driver awareness of traffic laws, responsibility and safety. Carteen is operated pursuant to local rule 10.

Substance Abuse Intervention Docket

The Substance Abuse Intervention Docket (SAID) is an approximate ninety (90) day program designed to provide education and increase awareness of alcohol and other drug prevention treatment. The goal of this early, effective intervention measure is to reduce drug and alcohol use, general discipline problems, criminal activity, absenteeism, and truancy while enabling the offender to become a productive member of the community.

Only Juveniles with a first offense that is considered a misdemeanor by the standards of the Ohio Revised Code are eligible to participate in the Belmont County Juvenile Court Substance Abuse Intervention Docket. In order to participate in the program, they must admit the charges stated in the complaint are substantially true and the minor and their parent(s) must be willing to cooperate and abide by the terms and conditions of an Agreed Order.

If the minor and family choose to participate in the Substance Abuse Intervention Docket and abide by the terms and conditions of the Agreed Order, then the respective case will not be filed in the Belmont County Juvenile Court, nor will it result in a juvenile record.

Involvement in the intervention is approximately ninety (90) days; however, that time may be extended if necessary. That is dependent on a child’s progress and compliance with the specific directives outlined in the relevant Agreed Order.
If during the time of court supervision, the juvenile or parent(s) fail to abide by the terms and conditions of the Agreed Order, or the juvenile is charged with an additional unruly or delinquent offense, or fails or refuses drug and alcohol testing, shows no or minimal effort to succeed in the program, or voluntarily withdraws, then the case will be filed in the Belmont County Juvenile Court.
Juvenile Drug Court

The Court began its Drug Court Program in 1999 with funding from the U.S. Department of Justice. A Drug Court is a special court given responsibility to handle cases involving less serious drug using offenders through intensive supervision and treatment. Drug Courts ensure consistency in judicial decision making, coordination of agencies and resources, and it is cost effective method to deal with youth having substance abuse problems. Drug Court emphasizes through positive reinforcement compliant behavior. Drug Court also relies on sanctions including terms of incarceration, increased drug testing, and intensive supervision to respond to the program failure of a population that currently receives little supervision, treatment or detention time. A juvenile that is "sentenced" to the Drug Court Program will be in the program for at least one year. The juvenile will go through four phases. The first phase will be very intense. The juvenile will attend Drug and Alcohol twice a week, appear in court bi-weekly. The case manager will visit the juvenile at home and school, grades will be monitored, random drug screens and strict curfew. Parents will be required to attend a parenting group.

The juvenile will also attend AA/NA meetings as a program requirement. Individual counseling is used in later program phases. An intensive outpatient program model is used by the treatment provider.

At the bi-weekly court sessions each case is discussed with the juvenile, the parents, case manager and treatment provider. The Judge comments on good behavior and levies sanctions for program non-compliance. However, as indicated previously, positive reinforcement is stressed. Rewards are given appropriate conduct and mementos for phase advancement. It is common to have the whole courtroom applaud when a good report is given. Since the bi-weekly court sessions are conducted in front of all Drug Court participants, parents and guests, positive peer and group pressure are utilized.

To graduate from Drug Court the youth must be drug and alcohol free, comply with the program criteria and receive a recommendation from the treatment provider. Graduation ceremonies are open to the public and are well attended by local civic leaders. The purpose of public graduation is to continue the philosophy of positive recognition for a youth by not only the Juvenile Court, but also the community in general. Graduation results in the original juvenile case being dismissed.

Family Drug Court

Family Drug Courts attempt to break the cycle of substance abuse in families by treating drug and alcohol addicted families who face the loss or restriction of their parental rights with the ultimate goal of maintaining family unity.

Belmont County Family Drug Court is a 9-12 month program aimed at returning children to their parents by intervening in drug and alcohol usage through intense supervision and participation in recovery services. When a family comes before the Juvenile Court, a referral of the family will be made by the Children Services Case Manager to the Drug Court Coordinator. If this evaluation indicated that this family will benefit from the drug court program, then a referral for an assessment will be made to North Point Counseling Services. A recommendation will then be sent to the Court. If a family accepts the Drug Court program, this shows their willingness to accept all help in reuniting their family.

This program lasts 9 to 12 months on average. Depending on a family's progress the child may be returned during that time with a disposition of Protective Supervision to the Department of Job and Family Services. The speed at which this occurs varies depending on a family's progress in treatment and compliance with Family Drug Court Rules and Regulations.

Inception for Belmont County Juvenile Drug Court was January 1st 2005. Currently, the program has a target of five to ten families to serve with the capacity to grow as needed. Initially, families in the Drug Court Program are required to appear before the judge every other week. These meetings occur at the Belmont County Justice Center Court Room on Wednesday between the hours of 10:30 am and 12:00 pm. At that time, the judge reviews the progress or lack of progress of the family. Intensive counseling with North Point and monitoring by the case manager will occur. At the end of the program, and if the family has successfully fulfilled the terms of the program, he/she will receive a graduation certificate and a graduation ceremony will take place.

Court Custody (Title IV-E)

The Belmont County Juvenile Court may take custody of a youth in delinquent and unruly cases for out of home placement for children in need of residential treatment, foster care or group home placements due to the inability of parents to effectively parent a child or ongoing behavioral and/or mental health problems of the child. The Court often takes into consideration not only court employees recommendations for a child but also the recommendations of counselors, schools, the local Cluster Board, Children Services, and families when placing a child.

When a child is placed into the custody of the court, a case manager is assigned either from the Court or the Department of Job and Family Services to monitor the case. A case plan is implemented and approved by the Court to ensure the interests of the child are being served. Periodic reviews are held to monitor the case as required under the statute.

The Belmont County Juvenile Court is a Title IV-E court allowing the court to receive federal fundng to assist with the placement of youth for those families income eligible. The Court also receives assistance for payment of placements through the local Cluster Board, the Department of Job and Family Services, and child support. Children are placed into licensed foster homes, residential treatment centers, and group homes.

Restitution and Community Service

The Restitution and Community Service program accepts both delinquent and unruly youth who have been ordered to pay restitution and/or perform community service hours. The restitution portion of the program works to hold juveniles accountable who have committed crimes involving property damages or personal injury against victims. The court restitution and community service coordinator works with victims in order to establish a specific dollar amount to be approved by the court for repayment to the victim. The juvenile is then responsible for making payment of this amount to the Court. Once the restitution is paid in full, the victim is repaid and the juvenile is released from the program. The Court makes every attempt possible to collect restitution in full.

The court works with several local agencies, churches, schools, and government entities to maintain work sites for juveniles to perform community service. Work sites are arranged by the Community Service Coordinator, although direct supervision is left to the work site staff. Progress reports are sent to the Community Service Coordinator by the work site staff notifying the Court of compliance or non-compliance. Juveniles referred to this program have performed various community service activities such as clean-ups of city parks including mowing of grass and painting of playground equipment.

For further information about the Restitution and Community Service program please call (740)695-2121 ext. 1071.

Intake and Diversion Program

In January 2000, the Belmont County Juvenile Court created the Intake and Diversion Program after discovering the Court procedure in effect at the time delayed an initial appearance of a juvenile for many week or months from the actual time of the offense.

Effective Jan. 1, 2007, the Intake and Diversion Program fee is $75.00 per case.

The Intake & Diversion Program is the informal process of diverting youths from further involvement into the juvenile system to an alternative, non-judicial method of dealing with the youth and the offense. Only those youth who have no prior official or unofficial records (first-time offenders) who are alleged to have committed a misdemeanor offense are eligible to participate in the Intake & Diversion Program. First time traffic offenders are currently being referred to the Carteens Program.

The goals of the Intake & Diversion Program are:
To quickly and efficiently deal with first-time offenders and swiftly administer justice;
To allow the youth to acknowledge responsibility for his or her actions with appropriate consequences;
To provide the youth and family with needed resources; and
To prevent further involvement with the juvenile justice system.

Upon receiving the complaint, the Intake and Diversion Program Coordinator will notify the youth and his/her parents in writing of the date and time of the scheduled Intake and Diversion conference. This conference will be scheduled within ten (10) days of the Intake and Diversion Program Coordinator’s receipt of the complaint. In order to participate in the Intake and Diversion Program, the youth must admit the charges stated in the complaint are substantially true. If the youth denies or disputes the charges stated in the complaint, the scheduled conference will be cancelled and the complaint will then be filed in the Belmont County Juvenile Court for the youth to respond to the charge(s) in Court.

The youth and his/her parent(s) are required to attend the Intake and Diversion conference at which time the following will occur:
The Intake & Diversion Program Coordinator introduces herself and gets acquainted with the youth and parents. The youth and parents are also asked to provide information concerning the youth, the family and the alleged offense. The Intake & Diversion Coordinator reads the complaint or police report to the youth and parents. At this time, in order to participate in the Intake and Diversion Program the youth must admit the charges stated in the complaint are substantially true. If the youth admits to the offense, the conference will continue, and the Intake & Diversion Program Coordinator will assess the youth and family for concerns. This is done in an effort to link the youth and his/her family to appropriate community resources. If the youth denies the offense or chooses not to participate in the Belmont County Juvenile Court Intake and Diversion Program, the conference will end, and the complaint will be filed in the Belmont County Juvenile Court for the youth to respond to the charge(s) in Court. The final stage of the conference involves the youth accepting responsibility for the offense by signing an Agreed Order wherein he/she commits to abide by certain terms and conditions. The youth’s parent(s) or guardian(s) also signs this Order.

The terms and conditions of the Intake and Diversion Program Agreed Order are highly variable and depend upon the offense, the youth and the family needs. The typical time frame of involvement in the Intake & Diversion Program is ninety (90) days; however, this time may be extended if necessary.
The Intake and Diversion Program Coordinator works extensively with school officials, law enforcement agencies and various agencies providing mental health and drug/alcohol counseling. While participating in the Intake and Diversion Program, the youth may expect the Intake and Diversion Program Coordinator to contact school officials regarding the youth’s attendance and compliance with school rules and regulations; request the youth to submit to random drug and alcohol testing; perform random curfew checks to ensure compliance; and request status reports from agencies providing mental health or drug/alcohol counseling to Intake and Diversion Program participants.

The following Local Rules of Procedure are hereby established by the Belmont County Court of Common Pleas, Juvenile Division:

1.1 Intake Procedure. Chief Deputy Clerk and Intake and Diversion Program Coordinator will review delinquency complaints. Complaints which are (1) a first offense (2) not a felony (3) the juvenile is not incarcerated (4) not an aggravated offense and (5) no objection is rendered by the prosecutor's office will be referred to the Intake and Diversion Program Coordinator

1.2 The Intake and Diversion Program Coordinator will receive directly from the prosecutor's office any unruly complaints that are also first offenses in which the juvenile is not incarcerated.

1.3 The Court may in the Court's sole discretion and with the approval of the prosecuting attorney refer cases to the Intake and Diversion Program Coordinator to further the interest of justice.

1.4 Upon the referral of a complaint to the Intake and Diversion Program Coordinator, the Intake and Diversion Program Coordinator shall immediately send a letter to the juvenile and the legal parent(s), custodian(s) or guardian(s) advising said persons of the intake procedure. A meeting will be scheduled with the juvenile and the parent(s), custodian(s) or guardian(s) at a time to be chosen by the Intake and Diversion Program Coordinator. A fee of Fifty Dollars ($50.00) will be charged for the services rendered on behalf of the Juvenile Court by the Intake and Diversion Program Coordinator. Said fee shall be payable by money order at the time of the initial conference.

1.5 The Intake and Diversion Program Coordinator will discuss with the juvenile and parent(s), custodian(s) or guardian(s) a resolution of the complaint in an attempt to avoid formal court intervention. Should the juvenile voluntarily terminate the program, appear to make no or minimal efforts with the recommendations of the Intake and Diversion Program Coordinator or receive a second offense during the intake procedure then the original complaint will be formally filed with the Court and referred to the judge.

1.6 The Intake and Diversion Program Coordinator is hereby authorized to develop an Intake Form, which is to be completed by the juvenile and the juvenile's parent(s), custodian(s) or guardian(s) and delivered to the Intake and Diversion Program Coordinator at the first meeting.

1.7 All cases referred to the Intake and Diversion Program Coordinator will receive an intake case number but will not receive a formal case number from the Clerk of the Juvenile Court. The Intake and Diversion Program Coordinator will keep a database of all juveniles referred for the intake procedure and the outcome of the intake process.

Dispositions
Disposition can be any one or more of the following:

Dismissal Fine and Court Costs

Restitution Community Service

Diversion Probation

Intake and Diversion Program Detention

License Suspension Placement out-of-home

Placement with Children Services

Group Home Placement

Referrals to outside agency services Referrals to Court programs

Legal Definitions

Delinquent Child (Section 2151.02 Ohio Revised Code)
A person under the age of eighteen years:

(A) Who violates any law of this state, the United States, or any ordinance or regulation of a political subdivision of the state, which would be a crime if committed by an adult.

(B) Who violates any lawful order of the Juvenile Court.

Juvenile Traffic Offender (Section 2151.02.2 Ohio Revised Code)

A person under the age of eighteen years who violates any traffic law, traffic ordinance, or any traffic regulation of this state, the United States, or any political subdivision of this state.

Unruly Child (Section 2151.02.2 Ohio Revised Code)
A person under the age of eighteen years:

(A) Who does not subject him/herself to the reasonable control of his/her parents, teachers, guardians, or custodian, by reason of being wayward or habitually disobedient

(B) Who is a habitual truant from home or school

(C) Who so deports him/herself as to injure or endanger the health or morals of others.

(D) Who attempts to enter the marriage relation in any state without the consent of his/her parents, custodian, legal guardian, or other legal authority.

(E) Who is found in a disreputable place, visits or patronizes a place prohibited by law or associates with vagrant, vicious, criminal, notorious or immoral person.

(F) Who engages in an occupation prohibited by law, or is in a situation dangerous to life or limb or injurious to the health or morals of him/herself or others.

(G) Who has violated a law applicable only to a child.

Neglected Child (Section 2151.03 Ohio Revised Code)
A person under the age of eighteen years:

(1) Who is abandoned by his parents, guardian or custodian

(2) Who lacks proper parental care because of the faults or habits of his parents, guardian, or custodian

(3) Whose parents, guardian, or custodian neglects or refuses to provide him/her with proper or necessary subsistence, education, medical or surgical care or treatment, or other care necessary for his health, morals, or well being.

(4) Whose parents, guardian, or custodian neglects or refuses to provide him/her with the special care made necessary by his mental condition

(5) Whose parents, legal guardian, or custodian have placed or attempted to place him in violation of sections 5103.06 and 5103.17 of the Revised Code.

(6) Who, because of the omission of his parents, guardian, or custodian, suffers physical or mental injury that harms or threatens to harm the child's health or welfare.

Abused Child (Section 2151.03.1 Ohio Revised Code)
A person under the age of eighteen years:

(A) Who is a victim of "sexual activity" as defined under chapter 2907.01 of the Ohio Revised Code, where such activity would constitute an offense under that chapter, except that the Court need not find that any person has been convicted of the offense in order to find that the child is an abused child.

(B) Who is endangered as defined in the section 2919.22 of the Ohio Revised Code, except that the Court need not find that any person has been convicted under that section in order to find that the child is an abused child.

(C) Who exhibits evidence of any physical or mental injury or death, inflicted other than by accidental means, or an injury or death which is at variance with the history given of it. Except as provided in division (D) of this section, a child exhibiting evidence of corporal punishment or other physical disciplinary measure by parent, guardian, custodian, person having custody or control, or person in loco parentis of a child is not an abused child under this division if the measure is not prohibited under section 2919.22 of the Ohio Revised Code.

(D) Because of the acts of his/her parents, guardians, suffers physical or mental injury that harms or threatens to harm the child's health or welfare.

(E) Is subjected to out-of-home care child abuse.

Dependent Child (Section 2151.04 Ohio Revised Code)
A person under the age of eighteen years:

(A) Who is homeless or destitute or without proper care of support, through no fault of his/her parents, guardian, or custodian.

(B) Who lacks proper care of support by reason of the mental or physical condition of his/her parents, guardian, or custodian.

(C) Whose condition or environment is such as to warrant the state, in the interests of the child, assuming his/her guardianship

(D) To whom both the following apply:

(1) He/she is residing in a household in which a parent, guardian, custodian, or other members of the household has abused or neglected a sibling of the child.

(2) Because of the circumstances surrounding the abuse or neglect of the siblings and the other conditions in the household of the child, the child is in danger of being abused or neglected by that parent, guardian, custodian, or member of the household.

Guardian Ad Litem Program

The Belmont County Juvenile Court utilizes Guardian Ad Litems (G.A.L.’s) to advocate for young people who are involved in the juvenile justice system. G.A.L.’s are court appointed volunteers who do not act as an attorney, but serve as an advisor to the court regarding the child’s best interests. G.A.L.’s speak with the child and other interested parties relevant to the case and prepare a written report for the court. The responsibility of the G.A.L. continues until completion of the case. A G.A.L. may be appointed for any youth involved with the juvenile court who are delinquent, dependant, neglected, or abused children. Training programs are required annually for court appointed G.A.L.’s.