In juvenile court, criminal matters are called delinquency cases.

In delinquency cases, the main function of the Court is to decide, based on the evidence presented, whether or not a young person accused of a crime has broken the law.

Four judges serve in the Delinquency Division of the Orleans Parish Juvenile Court:

Section "B" - Hon. Tammy Stewart

Section "C" - Hon. Candice Bates Anderson

Section "E" - Hon. Tracey Flemings-Davillier

Section "F" - Hon. Mark Doherty

How a Criminal Case gets to Court

When a young person is arrested, one of two things can happen: either the youth is released to the custody of his family or the youth is held in jail until brought before a judge.

After a young person is arrested, the police write a report about the facts and circumstances of the arrest and the crime the child is alleged to have committed. The police send that report to District Attorney's office in the Juvenile Division, where an Assistant District Attorney reviews the case for appropriateness for prosecution.

If the District Attorney decides to prosecute the case, the Assistant D.A. files what is called a "Delinquency Petition" with the Court. The delinquency petition is the legal charge against the young person. The legal case begins with the filing of the petition.

The petition is assigned a case number and the Clerk of Court computer system randomly allots the case to a section of Court.

How you find out if the District Attorney has filed Charges against your Child?

For a Child Released to the Custody of a Relative after Arrest

If the District Attorney decides to prosecute a young person who was released to the custody of his family after being arrested, a sheriff deputy will personally go to the youth's house and serve a copy of the delinquency petition and a subpoena to appear in Court before a judge.

For a Child Detained in Jail after Arrest

If the District Attorney decides to prosecute a young person who was detained in jail after being arrested must be brought to Court before a judge before he can be considered for release. When the youth and parent appear before the judge, the Court will serve them with a copy of the delinquency petition. This Court hearing is called the "Continued Custody" hearing.

What happens in Court

You and your child must now appear in court before the judge for the first time.