DJJ's Court Services
Unit has the dual function of transporting youth to and
from the Family, Criminal and Supreme Courts in all five
boroughs, and supervising the Family Court detention rooms.
COURT SERVICES: CUSTODY AND CARE AT WORK
In carrying
out its responsibilities, Court Services is committed
to DJJ's mission of balancing custody and care. Court
Services extends the Agency's positive intervention approach
to the Family Court detention rooms. The detention room
can be a constructive environment for youth awaiting court
action.
Each Family
Court detention room is staffed by a Court Representative
and Juvenile Counselors. Court Services staff is among
the most experienced in the Agency, so they are especially
well prepared to care for youth during the stressful court
process.
The DJJ Court
Representative acts as a liaison to the court, communicating
with judges, lawyers, probation officers and other court
personnel, and to facilitate the court process. Juvenile
Counselors both supervise and counsel youth awaiting their
hearings.
Court appearances
are a difficult and anxious time for youth.
In addition to being nervous about the outcome of their
hearings, they are often unfamiliar with courtroom
procedures. Finding Your Way,
a 20-minute award-winning video shown daily in all Family
Court detention rooms, helps remedy this by explaining detention and the court
process as it relates to juvenile delinquents.
TRANSPORTATION
Court Services
is also responsible for the transportation of all juveniles
to and from the courts, medical appointments and other
facilities. On an average day, the Court Services staff
transports 60 - 70 youth to and from court. Youth travel
in special minibuses that help to maintain order while
ensuring public safety and the youth's privacy.
In addition,
Court Services transports:
- Juvenile
offenders to facilities operated by the New York State
Office of Children and Family Services .
- Juveniles
being transferred to the New York City Department of
Correction.
- Juveniles
being transferred intra-agency between Secure Detention
facilities and Non-Secure Detention group homes.
- Juveniles
to airports, who are being held for other authorities.
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