Types of Cases

The Juvenile Court hears cases that are classified either as Adult cases or Juvenile cases. Most Juvenile Cases must be started by a Petition being prepared by the Court Service Unit. It is then filed with the Clerk of Court. If a person has a lawyer, the lawyer can file a Petition directly with the Clerk of Court with the exception of delinquency and CHINS cases.

Adult cases are the following types of cases:

• Adult Criminal Cases
• Adult Protective Order Petitions
• Child and Spousal Support

Juvenile cases are the following types of cases:

• Abuse and Neglect
• Approval of Preadoptive Placements
• Child in Need of Services or Supervision (CHINS)
• Custody and Visitation
• Emancipation
• Juvenile Delinquency
• Juvenile Mental Health Hearings
• Juvenile Traffic
• Paternity
• Relief of Custody
• Termination of Parental Rights