The purpose of the Lane County Juvenile court is to assure that a minor within the court's jurisdiction is provided with the care and services that best meets his/her needs. The jurisdiction of the Juvenile Court extends both to Dependent and Delinquent matters.
Delinquency
The Juvenile Court has jurisdiction in most cases involving a youth who is under 18 years of age and who has committed an act which is a violation of a law or ordinance. The District Attorney (DA), Attorney General (AG), Juvenile Department, or the Oregon Youth Authority (OYA) may file a petition in the Juvenile court alleging that a youth is within the jurisdiction of the Court.
Dependency
Dependency petitions involve a youth who is under 18 years of age. Situations in which a dependency petition may be filed include a child:
- Who is beyond the control of his/her parents;
- Who is dependent for the care and support on a public or private child-caring agency;
- Whose parents have abandoned, neglected, or abused the child; or
- Who has run away from home.