Juvenile Justice

The Law Department’s Family Court Division is committed to the safety and well-being of the community and all its members.  This includes those harmed as well as the youth alleged to have caused the harm.   We are a citywide division whose staff works 365 days and nights a year in every borough and centrally at 100 Centre Street for weekend, holiday and night court operations. The Juvenile Justice system is geared toward rehabilitation. The process seeks to ensure that victims of youth crime can heal;  that youth who commit offenses that would be considered crimes if they were adults, are held accountable for their actions and receive services that will contribute to their rehabilitation; and that all those who are affected by a case can move forward into a future, where the safety and well-being of the community are supported by all.

A strong, intentional Juvenile Justice practice is essential to this work. The role of the prosecutor in the Juvenile Justice System is rooted in justice and fairness.  In Juvenile Justice cases, the law mandates an outcome that balances both the need for the protection of the community with the needs and best interests of the youth.  This is a significant balance to achieve, yet the outcomes are by no means mutually exclusive - when the needs and best interests of its youth are met – the community is safer and all will thrive.

The New York City Law Department's Family Court Division handles Juvenile Justice cases that are referred by the NYC Department of Probation (DOP).  The cases involve allegations in which youth between the ages of 12-17 are alleged to have committed a crime.  (Note:  in rare instances, this may include a case in which a youth between the ages of 7-11 is alleged to have committed a homicide).  The law recognizes several classes of youth who may benefit from the rehabilitative mandate of the Juvenile Justice System and the NYC Family Court. (See below and fig.1)  

Juvenile Delinquency Cases 

• 12-15 year-olds charged with all felony and misdemeanor crimes (does not include Juvenile Offender Cases)
• 16-17 year-olds charged with misdemeanors
• Rare instances, in which a youth between the ages of 7-11 is alleged to have committed a homicide
• These cases begin and stay in the Juvenile Justice System, if filed, the cases are heard by the Family Court. 

Juvenile Offender Cases 

• 13 year-olds charged with homicide
• 14, 15 year-olds charged with the most serious offenses
• These cases begin in the Adult Criminal System (Supreme Court - Youth Part) where they may remain; or they may be removed to the Juvenile Justice System (Family Court) as a court-to-court transfer. 

Adolescent Offender Cass 

• 16,17 year-olds who are charged with adolescent offenses (all felonies)
• These cases begin in the Adult Criminal Justice System where they may remain; or they may be removed to the Juvenile Justice System.

NYC Law Department Family Court Division Dashboard

Visit the links below for further information.

Go to the Process & Terminology page
Go to the Community Outreach page
Find Resources & Information for Victims