The work of the Juvenile Division of the Livingston Parish Sheriff’s Office goes beyond just dealing with criminal cases involving children 16 years of age and under. The staff of three full-time juvenile officers spends much time working to resolve problems and prevent juvenile crimes.

The juvenile cases that are handled by the division include arrests for status offenses, which include not obeying the rules of the home, ungovernable behavior by juveniles, leaving the home without permission, etc. These are not “lock down” offenses with most of the juveniles referred to shelter homes, including the Horizon House in Hammond, Louisiana. The criminal offenses handled by the juvenile division include batteries, thefts, and sex offenses with the juvenile offenders incarcerated at the Florida Parishes Juvenile Detention Center in Robert, Louisiana. On average each month, the juvenile officers make 22 arrests and handle another 15 “counsel and release” cases.

Juvenile offenders are entitled to a hearing before a judge within 72 hours of being charged. Juvenile court is held on Fridays in the parish with District Judges presiding. Juvenile officers are required to attend the court sessions and are also responsible for transporting the juveniles to and from court appearances and the juvenile facilities.

Another relatively new alternative to juvenile incarceration and/or probation is the DABS in-home detention program. LPSO Juvenile Division officers are currently volunteering their time “after hours” to make visits and phone calls to these in-home detainees to help keep them in compliance.