Fairfax County Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court

4000 Chain Bridge Road
Room 1201
Fairfax, VA 22030
703-246-2495, TTY 703-273-3713
www.fairfaxcounty.gov/courts/jdr/homepage.htm

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Para obtener más información, por favor
llame al 703-246-2495, TTY 703-273-3713.

Juveniles thought to have committed offenses which are under the jurisdiction of the Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court are brought into the judicial system through Juvenile Intake Services. Petitions or complaints against juveniles may be filed by police officers, citizens, families or other agencies. The court provides intake services at the courthouse in Fairfax and at its probation offices in North, South and East County.

Intake services are provided for both delinquent (criminal) and CHINS (non-criminal) offenses. An intake officer will decide whether cases are set for judicial hearings or diverted from the court and handled informally.

Criminal offenses are identified as felonies or misdemeanors. The penalties for these offenses are generally more serious than for CHINS
offenses. Felonies may only be filed by law
enforcement officers, with the exception of
unauthorized use of a family vehicle, which can be filed by a parent. Criminal offenses may be
committed against citizens, businesses or family members and can include: theft, assault, destruction of property, drug dealing, breaking and entering, etc. It is best to contact the police in criminal matters prior to seeking Intake Services.

Fairfax County is committed to nondiscrimination in all county programs, services, and activities. Special accommodations will be provided upon request. For information, call 703-246-2495, TTY 703-273-3713.

CHINS (Child in Need of Supervision) offenses are non-criminal matters or status offenses. They include truancy, running away or behavior that may result in a serious threat to the well-being and physical safety of the child. Status offenses are acts prohibited by law which would not be a crime if committed by an adult, such as tobacco possession or curfew violations.

If you believe your family needs assistance with any of these issues, schedule an appointment with an intake officer for an assessment (see back for locations and contact information). It is important that your child also attend the meeting.

Virginia Law says that the school truancy officer must become involved when a child accumulates a number of unexcused absences. The truancy officer will attempt interventions prior to the case being referred to court, but must make referrals if there is no improvement. Parents are encouraged to call the school to discuss concerns they are having with their child's attendance, as only the truancy officer can make these court referrals.

According to Virginia law, a child is "in need of supervision" if he or she deserts or abandons his family or lawful custodian without consent on more than one occasion. Parents should first call the police and report the child as a runaway. All efforts should be made to determine the child's whereabouts before contacting the court. The intake officer must determine whether the child's behavior presents a clear and substantial danger to his/her life or health, as well as what other community resources the family has utilized. The parents should bring a child to meet with an intake officer after the child returns home, prior to any court involvement to see how the matter can best be addressed. It should be noted that filing a complaint with the Intake Department will not speed up the process of finding one's child.

According to Virginia law, a child is "in need of services" if the child's behavior, conduct or condition is a serious threat to the well-being and physical safety of the child or of another person. The Intake Officer will meet with a child and his parents to assess issues and problems to determine the appropriate action.

State law requires the following:

• The conduct or behavior that is the subject of complaint must present a clear and substantial danger to the child's life or health or to the life or health of another person.
• The child or his family is in need of treatment, rehabilitation or services not presently being received and
• The intervention of the court is essential to rehabilitation or services needed by the child/family.

Parents Information/ Support Group

Juvenile Courthouse
Every Tuesday at 7:30 p.m.
No appointment necessary.
Call 703-246-2495, TTY 703-273-3713
for information and to RSVP

and

South County Office
Every 2nd and 4th Thursday
6 p.m - 7.:30 p.m.
Call 703-704-6004, TTY 711
for information and to RSVP

***Parents Only***

Juvenile Intake Offices

Central Intake
4000 Chain Bridge Rd.
Room 1201
Fairfax, VA
703-246-2495, TTY 703-273-3713

South County
8350 Richmond Hwy.
Suite 119
Alexandria, VA
703-704-6004, TTY 711

North County
1850 Cameron Glen Dr.
Suite 400
Reston, VA
703-481-4014, TTY 711

East County
2812 Old Lee Hwy.
Suite 100
Fairfax, VA
703-204-1016, TTY 711