Juvenile Department

Mission Statement | Commitment to Restorative Justice | Jobs | Contact Us | Map

Mission Statement, Values and Guiding Principles

Mission Statement

The mission of the Clackamas County Juvenile Department is to provide equitable, effective juvenile justice services to support youth and family success, honor victim rights, and create opportunities for youth to experience positive change, contributing to a safe, secure, healthy community. 

Values

Integrity, Collaboration, and Excellence

Guiding Principles

• To honor diversity and to treat all persons with respect.
• To involve youth, families, and community partners in creating an effective and responsive department.
• To strive to be innovative leaders in the field of juvenile justice.
• To incorporate evidence-based practices in our work with youth and families.
• To honor victim's rights and interests throughout all phases of the justice system; To invite victim's participation in determining how to meaningfully address harm.
• To provide opportunities for youth to repair harm to victims and communities.
• To engage youth to have positive involvement in their communities.
• To foster open communication and teamwork in a supportive work environment.
• To demonstrate ethical and honest behavior in all that we do.  

Commitment to Restorative Justice

The Clackamas County Juvenile Department is committed to the philosophical principles and values of Restorative Justice. Restorative Justice is focused on balanced support and meaningful outcomes for youth offenders, crime victims, and the community.

Youth who have offended need to be held meaningfully accountable, given opportunities to develop new skills, supported for integration into the community, including developing and enhancing their social competencies, and for some - at least temporarily incarcerated. Meaningful accountability directly addresses the resulting harms of their actions, encourages empathy and responsibility, and works to motivate them to be positive, contributing citizens in their community.

Crime victim's individual and specific interests need to be valued and responded to. Often those interests include providing information on the steps being taken to address the harm done to them; eliciting and acknowledging how they were harmed and subsequently impacted; and encouraging their voice and participation in determining what steps are necessary to address the harmful impacts of the youth's actions.

Finally, communities need to have their voices heard as crime victims and empowered to share in the responsibility for the welfare of its members (including victims and offenders) while ensuring that the necessary resources, skills, and attention is given to develop safe and thriving communities. Community members need to feel safe in their community and have a critical role in working with the system to establish an environment in which safety emerges.

A restorative approach to crime addresses all of these fundamental goals. Youth who have offended are held meaningfully accountable, crime victims are heard and empowered, and communities are engaged both as stakeholders that have been negatively impacted and as advocates to make things right for the crime victim, offending youth and community. 

Jobs

On-Call Relief Worker
Qualified applicants will have at least 6 months experience working with at-risk youth. The most competitive applicants will have an Associate's Degree or higher in Criminal Justice, related field or any combination of education, training and experience that demonstrates the required knowledge, skills and abilities needed for this position.

Contact Us

Clackamas County Juvenile Department
Open 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Thursday
2121 Kaen Road
Oregon City, OR 97045
Phone: 503-655-8342
Fax: 503-655-8448

Clackamas County Juvenile Intake and Assessment Center
(a part of Clackamas County Juvenile Department)
Open 24 Hours
2121 Kaen Road
Oregon City, OR 97045
Phone: 503-650-3180
Fax: 503-650-3176

Map

Con el aumento de la población Hispana en el estado de Oregon hay una necesidad grande para servicios en español en el condado de Clackamas. El departamento juvenil es uno de los varios departamentos en el condado que tiene servicios en español para atender a la población hispana. El departamento juvenil tiene consejeros que hablan español, intérpretes disponibles para audiencias en corte, para los abogados, y servicios de tratamiento en español.

El departamento juvenil ofrece servicios de libertad condicional, programas alternativos dentro del departamento, y en la comunidad para jóvenes y familias en español. También nos esforzamos para ofrecer información en español y en inglés como las cartas de cita y los formularios para las familias.

En la cita inicial, el consejero entrevistará al joven y su familia para obtener información de familia y referencia criminal. La participación de los padres o guardianes es importante en los servicios que el departamento ofrece. La mayoría de la información de los antecedentes del joven es obtenida por medio de la familia, Por lo tanto la comunicación es muy importante.

Si desea más información en español, por favor comuníquese con Bekah Evans por correo electrónico: bevans@clackamas.us o llamando al 503-722-6557.

Emancipation is a legal process where qualified 16- and 17-year olds are granted the status of having reached adulthood. It means they can function as adults, enter into contracts, and sue and be sued. Emancipated minors are considered adults in the eyes of the criminal justice system. They are subject to the adult courts and jail for law violations. Emancipated minors are no longer subject to juvenile court jurisdiction. Emancipation, however, does not affect the marriage or voting age.

To attain emancipated minor status, juveniles must be fully self-supporting, have an adequate place to live and be able to demonstrate sufficient maturity and responsibility in order to function on their own—without adult supervision.

Factors to be considered

The following general guidelines are used by the Court in verifying if a youth can be considered for emancipation:

• Whether the parent of the minor consents to the emancipation.
• Whether the minor has been living away from the family home and is substantially able to be self-maintained and self-supported without parental guidance and supervision.
• Whether the minor can demonstrate that he or she is sufficiently mature and knowledgeable to manage his or her affairs without parental assistance.
• The youth must be employed at least 25 to 30 hours per week at minimum wage or more for at least 3 months and be able to furnish a most recent payroll document. (Exception: Other source of income such as social security trust.)
• The youth must have graduated from high school, have received a GED, or be attending an educational or vocational school full- time.
• Have at least one month's salary in a checking or savings account. (Minimum $800).
• The youth must be able to provide his or her own medical insurance or be able to continue under parent's coverage. The youth must show documentation from a health care provider proving eligibility and availability.
• If living away from parental home, be established in a residence for two or three months. The residence cannot be with the youth's boyfriend or girlfriend. (Exception: If emancipation is needed to enter into rental agreement, youth must furnish documentation so indicating.)
• Maturity and responsibility: Youth must demonstrate ability to be on his/her own without adult supervision by the following:
  • parental testimony;
  • recommendation from reliable adults;
  • reports from school instructors or employers; and,
  • development and submission of monthly budget.
• There shall be no pending law violations involving the youth.

It is common for the Juvenile Court Judge to expect the minor to come to court prepared with a budget, a stable source of income, a stable residence, and transportation and school issues addressed.

A Decree of Emancipation serves only to:

• Recognize a minor as an adult for the purposes of contracting and conveying, establishing residence, suing and being sued, and recognize the minor as an adult for purposes of criminal laws of the State of Oregon.
• Terminate most parental responsibilities to the emancipated minor.
• A decree of emancipation does not affect any age qualification for purchasing alcohol or the requirements for obtaining a marriage license, nor declare the person to have reached the age of majority.

The Emancipation Process

Prior to filing for emancipation a youth will meet with a juvenile department counselor who can answer questions, guide the youth through the process and counsel the youth on the viability of an emancipation.

Once the youth has decided to go forward with the emancipation application the youth must go to the juvenile department in the county where he or she resides and file an application with the associated fee. The filing fee is nonrefundable. Once the application for emancipation has been filed, the Juvenile Court will assign a juvenile department counselor who will answer questions, ask questions in order to gather relevant information, and prepare a report which summarizes the significant issues and concludes with a recommendation to the judge. The court will conduct a preliminary hearing within ten (10) days of the date of filing. A final hearing will be held no later than sixty (60) days after filing.

Parents are notified of any emancipation proceeding. At the preliminary hearing the youth is informed of the civil and criminal rights and liabilities of an emancipated minor and an emancipation hearing date is scheduled.

At the emancipation hearing the judge will hear testimony, review materials presented and ask questions. The minor must be prepared with relevant documents and answers to questions at the time of the hearing.

If the minor is emancipated, he or she is provided a copy of the Decree of Emancipation and instructed to obtain an Oregon driver's license or an Oregon identification card through the Oregon Department of Transportation which makes a notation of the minor's emancipated status.

Miscellaneous Information

• There are some states that will honor the emancipation granted by the State of Oregon, but others will not. It is the responsibility of the youth to research this issue, if interested.
• There is a filing fee which is not refundable.
• If emancipation is granted, it is not possible to reverse the decree.
• Emancipation applications can only be processed in the county of the residence of the parent or legal guardian.
• Emancipated minors are subject to jurisdiction of the adult courts for criminal offenses.
• It is not unusual for parents to want to emancipate their child, however, this action must be initiated by the person being emancipated.
• Per ORS 419B.555, the juvenile court shall conduct a preliminary hearing on the minor's application for emancipation within 15 days of the date on which it is filed or as soon as possible thereafter. The final hearing shall be held no later than 60 days or as soon as possible after the date on which the application is filed.

If you have further questions, you can contact us.

Research-informed assessments enable the department to identify each youth's likelihood of reoffending, supporting the development of a comprehensive intervention framework tailored to individual needs. This approach includes diversion at various stages for lower-risk youth and formal probation for those at higher risk. Between these options, the department offers a range of community-based services and supports designed to address the underlying factors contributing to delinquent behavior.

These evidence-based interventions promote accountability and skill development while simultaneously addressing the needs of victims and the community affected by the harm. By matching the level of intervention to each youth's assessed risk and needs, Clackamas County Juvenile Department works to reduce recidivism, support positive youth development, and strengthen community safety. This individualized approach recognizes that effective juvenile justice outcomes require addressing not only the behavior that brought youth into the system, but also the circumstances and experiences that contributed to it. 

Youth referred to the Juvenile Department - What's Next? - A Guide to the Juvenile Justice Process in Clackamas County for Families

Post Police Contact

After police respond to a situation where a youth may have committed a crime, they will do one of the following:

• Take the youth into custody and transport them to the Juvenile Intake & Assessment Center (JIAC). 
• Release the youth to their parent or guardian. 
• Cite the youth to appear in court. 
• Take the youth to a detention center (Marion County Detention) 

What next? 

After your child is taken into custody or has contact with the police, the police will write a report and send it to the juvenile department.

The juvenile department will then assign your child to a juvenile counselor or a diversion program who will meet with you to explain what is happening with your child's involvement with the juvenile justice system. This person will also help you understand all of your options. 

Juvenile Justice System

The juvenile justice system is the system in charge of dealing with juvenile crime. It is different from the adult criminal system. The juvenile system concentrates on holding youth accountable for their actions, keeping the public safe, and repairing harm in the community. Below is a chart that may help you understand words that are used in the juvenile justice system that are similar to adult criminal words.

Process Timeline

If your child is taken into custody, the juvenile department will contact you immediately. If the police write a report that says that your child may have committed a crime, the juvenile department typically will contact you within 2 to 3 weeks of receiving the report.

Right to an Attorney

Youth have a right to a court-appointed attorney at no cost.

What Is My Role As the Parent or Guardian of the Youth?

The parent or guardian plays a very important role in the juvenile justice process. Unlike adults, youth are usually dependent on family members who have a large impact on their choices. The partnership between the parent/guardian and the juvenile counselor can have a big impact on a youth's success. The staff at the juvenile department rely on the parent/guardian to help the youth through the justice process.

Expunction

Under most circumstances, a juvenile's record can be destroyed at some point. The process of getting a juvenile record and associated police reports destroyed is called an expungement. Learn more about the expunction process

Oregon Justice Department Expunction Forms

Expunction Request Application (Printable PDF)

Glossary of Terms

Adjudication: A court hearing where a Judge finds a youth responsible for committing a crime. The decision is made either because the youth admits to a charge, or is found responsible by a Judge through a court trial.

Custody: When a youth is detained by a law enforcement agency because an officer has probable cause to believe a felony or misdemeanor crime has been committed, a statute has been violated, or the youth has a warrant out for their arrest.

Detention: Temporary and safe custody, in a secure setting, of juveniles (under age 18) who require a restricted environment for their own or the community's protection while pending legal action.

District attorney: An attorney, who is employed by the county, and who is responsible for prosecuting people who are charged with a crime.

Felony: The most serious levels of crimes.

Intake: The point when a Juvenile Counselor meets with a youth and family to gather information in order to assist in the decision making process.

Juvenile counselor: A Juvenile Counselor is the same as a Juvenile Probation Officer. This person will determine how the case should be handled based on reviewing police reports, interviewing the youth and family as well as other resources. The Juvenile Counselor also supervises the conditions and terms of the youth's status with the Juvenile Department and makes on-going decisions regarding treatment or service needs.

Misdemeanor: Levels of crimes that are less serious than felonies.

Preliminary hearing: First court hearing in a case to give the juvenile formal notice of the charges and of his/her rights, to determine whether the juvenile has an attorney and if necessary, appoint one.

Probation: Court-ordered conditions and expectations of behavior resulting from a youth being found responsible for violating the law.

Referral: A police report is sent to the Clackamas County Juvenile Department through the reporting law enforcement agency.

Status offence: An offense that is only considered an offense because a person is a minor (ie. smoking, or staying out past curfew) 

If you have additional questions or would like to speak with someone, please do not hesitate to contact us. 

Cases involving youth with illegal sexual behaviors are managed through close collaboration among the Juvenile Department, the youth and their family, the District Attorney’s Office, Victim Advocates, schools, treatment providers, and other adults responsible for the youth’s supervision.

Review and Decision-Making Process

When a referral is received from law enforcement, it is reviewed by:

• Juvenile Department staff
• The District Attorney’s Office
• The Victim Advocates  

Together, they determine an appropriate response based on:

• The nature of the alleged offense
• The youth’s living situation
• The perspective of the victim or victim’s family
• Available safeguards and supervision

Family involvement is essential, as youth typically need strong support and accountability from caregivers.

Evaluation and Treatment Planning

Youth participate in an evaluation conducted by a qualified mental health professional with specialized training. This evaluation helps guide decisions about supervision and treatment.

Based on the evaluation, family cooperation, and the youth’s willingness to take responsibility, a plan is developed that may allow the youth to:

• Remain in the community with intensive supervision, or
• Be placed in a more structured setting to receive treatment

Community-Based Supervision

When it is safe for a youth to remain in the community, supervision is often more intensive than in other juvenile cases. Supervision conditions may include:

• Individual, family, and group counseling
• Treatment focused on addressing harmful behaviors
• Polygraph testing as part of the treatment process
• Safety planning with schools and for community activities

Treatment typically occurs in stages and often takes 12–18 months to complete. Youth are expected to take full responsibility for their actions, including completing a clarification letter acknowledging the harm caused.

Residential Treatment Options

If a youth cannot safely remain in the community, or does not follow probation conditions, placement in a residential treatment program may be required. These programs provide:

• 24-hour supervision
• Specialized sexual behavior treatment
• Support for other behavioral or emotional needs

Sex Offender Registration

Youth adjudicated for felony-level sexual offenses  may be required to register with the Oregon State Police.  The decision if a youth will be granted relief from the duty to register is determined by the Court at a hearing that takes place near the end of a youth’s Court supervision. If Ordered, registration includes:

• Annual updates
• Notification of address, employment, or school changes

Two years after probation ends, eligible youth may request relief from registration through the court where the case was adjudicated.

The Skills Group Program is committed to:

• using evidence based principles in all group settings;
• assisting youth in understanding the human impacts of their actions;
• providing youth with skills which will assist them in becoming contributing community members;
• providing opportunities for youth to meaningfully connect to their community; and
• addressing Risk and Protective factors in youth to minimize recidivism rates.

Program Overview

The Skills Group Program is dedicated to providing facilitated group learning opportunities which focus on expanding the competencies of the youth we serve. By having eight different evidence-based curricula, the Skills Group Program is able to direct youth into group learning scenarios that specifically target identified Risk and Protective factors.

Curriculum

Empathy
Empathy: The mission of the Empathy group is to provide youth with an opportunity to build empathy and community awareness in a positive way while taking responsibility for their behavior and considering its effect on our community.  This group is designed to help youth develop competencies that will enable them to be more successful community members. Based on restorative justice principles, the Empathy skills group encourages youth to: take responsibility for their choices; focus on preventing future harmful or illegal behavior; understand the harm they have done to others; acknowledge their victim(s); and make a commitment to their community to repair the harm they have caused. Youth who participate in the Empathy group will complete 3 cognitive skills groups and 2 community service projects together.
 

If you need to report child abuse or neglect, call 1-855-503-SAFE (7233).

Children have the right to:

• permanency with a safe family
• freedom from physical, sexual or emotional abuse or exploitation
• freedom from substantial neglect of basic needs

Mandatory reporters

You are a mandatory reporter of child abuse or neglect if you are any of the following:

• attorney
• certified provider of child care or foster care or their employees
• chiropractor
• clergy
• Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA)
• dentist
• firefighters or emergency medical technician
• licensed clinical social worker
• licensed practical nurses or registered nurse
• licensed professional counselor
• naturopathic physician
• optometrist
• peace officer
• physician
• psychologist
• school employee
• state or county employee

Per Oregon Revised Statutes, all Juvenile Department staff are mandatory reporters and are required by law to report to DHS any incident of child abuse and/or neglect that comes to their attention.

Find out more at Department of Human Services.