Criminal Justice
and Court Related Departments
Delaware County
Government Center
Web Site
JUVENILE COURT
DEPUTY DIRECTOR: Kathleen Coulston |
PHONE:
610/891-4721 |
FAX:
610/566-2425 |
Juvenile Court Supervisors in Adobe PDF
In November 2009, Delaware County Juvenile Court was pleased and honored to receive state level recognition. Don Haldeman, Supervisor of Victim Services, was selected by the Juvenile Court Judges' Commission and Pennsylvania Council of Chief Juvenile Probation Officers to receive their "2009 PA Victim Advocate Award." Don has been with the court since December, 1977.
Delaware County Juvenile Court is the judicial agency responsible for determining questions of fact and law in cases where children, between the ages of 10 and 18, are charged with violations of the Criminal Code. Approximately 2,700 petitions are processed yearly. In addition to its judicial function, Juvenile Court has the administrative responsibility for researching, developing and monitoring services that address the rehabilitation of the delinquent youth, consistent with the protection of the community.
Under the “Balanced Approach to Restorative Justice” now mandated by law in Pennsylvania - community, victims and juveniles all receive balanced attention within the juvenile justice system. Primary goals are protection of the community, accountability for offenses committed and the development of competencies that enable the juvenile to become a responsible and productive member of their community.
The Juvenile Probation Department has regional offices in Media, Chester, Upper Darby, Sharon Hill and a number of school districts. Delaware County reflects the well-publicized national increase in offenses involving drugs, weapons, sexual misconduct and school violence. Today’s juvenile offender often tends to be younger and exhibit more emotional problems than in prior years. Often, because of offense history, family situation and emotional disturbance, today’s juvenile offender requires more services. A continuum of services and sanctions has been developed to address the multiple and complex needs of the adjudicated juvenile. A sampling of services includes: electronic monitoring, first offender programs, probation, intensive probation, preventative aftercare programs, day treatment, weekend programs, detention and residential placements.