| Declaration of Paternity: When a
child is born out of wedlock and the parents eventually get married a
declaration of paternity may be filed and the birth certificate is changed
by adding the father's name. |
| Parentage Actions: To establish
parent/child relationships, establish child support, and establish visitation
rights. |
| Custody: The Juvenile Court is
responsible for determining custody in paternity cases or in domestic
relations cases assigned by the General Division of Common Pleas Court
after a divorce has be finalized. We currently have a Magistrate who
hears most of the paternity and custody cases in Williams County. |
| Abuse, Neglect, and Dependency of Children: Complaints
are filed by the Department of Job and Family Services when they feel
children are not being properly cared for. The Judge determines what
is in the child's best interest. The Judge can order that children
be placed in foster homes, placed with a more appropriated relative, or
order protective supervision of the child. |
| Adult Contributing: When an adult is
charged with helping a juvenile commit an unruly or delinquent act. |
| Juvenile Unruly:
A person under the age of 18 who is ungovernable, truant from school, or
violates curfew. |
| Juvenile Delinquent: A person under
the age of 18 who commits a crime. The
Juvenile Court is responsible for determining the disposition of the
juvenile's case. |
| Juvenile Traffic: A driver under the
age of 18 who commits a traffic violation. |