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Overview

The Juvenile District Court Division deals with cases involving individuals under 18 years old who are accused of committing minor offenses, misdemeanors, or felonies. Traffic offenses for juveniles are handled in County Court. If a juvenile has committed a violent offense and is at least 14 years old, they may be charged as an adult. This division also manages a juvenile diversion program that assists many first-time offenders. The diversion program uses education, community, and family services to redirect juveniles away from the criminal justice system.

FAQs

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  1. Do I have to appear in court with my child?

    Yes. If the child is under the age of 18, they must have a parent or guardian accompany them to court.

  2. Can my child be charged with a crime without law enforcement notifying me first?

    If a juvenile is accused of a felony, the officer will take the reports to the District Attorney's Office for review. Then, the Deputy District Attorney will decide on the appropriate charges. After that, a letter will be sent to the juvenile and their parents or guardians, letting them know about the court date. For misdemeanor charges, the officer will give the juvenile a summons (ticket) to sign along with a parent or guardian. The court date will be written on that document.

  3. How do I get a public defender?

    You may call their office at (970) 493-1212 and press 0 to ask for assistance or you may go to their office at #1 Old Town Square, Suite 201, Fort Collins CO 80524 and fill out an application.

  4. Can law enforcement talk to my child without a parent/guardian present?

    Yes. However, if the juvenile is in custody, and the officer wants to ask them questions about their involvement in a crime, a parent/guardian must be present.

  5. What does Joint and Several restitution mean?

    If more than one juvenile is charged with a crime, the court can order all the participants to pay the full amount of restitution. Once the court has received the full amount, they will stop accepting payments. This ensures that if one defendant doesn't pay, the victim will still be fully reimbursed

  6. How do I become emancipated?

    In Colorado, there's no official process for emancipation. To be considered emancipated, a juvenile must be at least 16 years old and independent in matters like care, custody, and earnings. They can also be married or in the military. If this independence can be clearly shown, the juvenile may be considered emancipated. There's no formal procedure required for emancipation. It's a status that a person finds themselves in, rather than a legal process that "emancipates" them. If a parent signs an affidavit stating that the juvenile is emancipated, it may help prove their status, but it's not the only thing the courts would consider if the emancipation status is questioned.

  7. Can I get a copy of a police report on a juvenile case?

    A juvenile who is charged with a crime, or his parent or guardian, is entitled to all police reports pertaining to that case. Victims can have limited access subject to the discretion of the Deputy District Attorney. Police reports involving juveniles are not available to the general public.

  8. How can I get the police reports pertaining to my court case?

    Please visit the Central Services & Discovery webpage for information regarding discovery.

  9. I want to voice a concern about how my case is being handled by the Deputy District Attorney assigned to my case. To whom can I speak?

    If you have a concern about how your case is proceeding, you may send us an email. If you are represented by an attorney, we are prohibited from discussing your case with you. You will need to address these concerns with your attorney.

Contact Information

Courtroom 2A: (970) 494-3560

District Attorney's Office, Juvenile Unit  (970) 498-7287