Intake

The Intake Department provides resources to families in crises, provides alternatives to court by diverting troubled juveniles to both internal services and services in the community, if appropriate, and provides social and legal information to the court regarding juveniles who cannot be diverted. The department is made up of two Intake supervisors, two unit coordinators, and ten intake counselors, one of which is solely responsible for Child In Need of Supervision referrals. Intake receives all referrals that are not on supervision with another department.

Process and Contact Information

The Intake Department at the Tulsa County Family Justice Center is the important first contact juveniles and their families have with the juvenile justice system. The following process is typical for normal cases as they come into the Family Justice Center. If a case is already open and a youth is on probation at the time of a new case against them coming before the court, the process is different and will be handled by the probation department.

1. Either through arrest or investigation, a delinquent charge is made alleging a youth in Tulsa County has committed a delinquent act. A police report is filed, and that report is forwarded to the Intake Department at the Tulsa County Family Justice Center.
   1. Upon arrest a child may receive a promise to appear with a Court date, or a citation with a court date. Depending on the child’s history with the Family Justice Center as well as the nature of the charge, the child’s case may diverted to a Misdemeanor alternative program or handled through the intake department. At that point the child and family will be notified that they do not need to appear on the previously given court date, either by the Intake Counselor or someone from the misdemeanor alternative program. If the child is unsuccessful in completing the requirements there is the possibility the case will be referred to Court.
    
2. Once received, the referral is placed into the Office of Juvenile Affairs state database, detailing the charge, the time it occurred, the police agency alleging the charge and all known information about the youth being charged. It is then sent to an Intake Supervisor for assignment to an Intake Counselor.
   1. Misdemeanor first referral charges can be diverted to a misdemeanor alternative program. If this occurs then the family will be contacted by someone from the misdemeanor program.
    
3. Once received, the police report or referral is inspected and in the case of misdemeanor charge or minor property offense felony, the Intake Counselor decides on how to proceed with the charge. Serious felonies and felony crimes against a person are sent to the District Attorney for decision regarding filing and the pursuit of delinquent offenses and court involvement. All cases are set for Intake Interview. During this interview information regarding the youth and family is compiled and would be used to make treatment recommendation for the youth.
4. Misdemeanor cases and some felony property crimes can be dealt with in a different fashion to avoid pushing a youth further into the juvenile justice system. The assessments and nature of the offense help make this determination.
5. After the assessment, a decision for the process of misdemeanor charges is made and those decisions vary based on the nature of the offense, the history of the juvenile and the current family situation. There are several options for dealing with misdemeanors and property offense felonies that help the youth and family meet the need for intervention without having to enter into the formal court process or move deeper into the juvenile justice system.
   1. The least involved decision is that of a finding of Information Only. In this case, the allegation or circumstance does not hold enough merit based on the police report and/or an assessment of the youth and family involved. Should this finding be the outcome of the case, no further requirements are placed on the youth or family and the case is closed.
   2. If there is some merit to the offense and a youth and family have a favorable assessment, no history of adjudication for past charges and the District Attorney agrees, the Intake Counselor could offer a Deferred Filing on the misdemeanor offense. This would mean that the youth, with the support of the family, would have requirements to be met in a set amount of time, usually 30 to 60 days. In exchange for meeting these requirements, a charge would not be filed with the court and the referral would be closed.
   3. Another option to avoid appearance in court is the Informal adjustment. If this option is awarded a youth regarding a charge, a more formal and longer lasting contract will be designed and outlined by the Intake Counselor. While similar to Deferred Filing, an informal adjustment adds more restriction and obligations for treatment and compliance by the youth and family. These contracts extend for 3 to 6 months typically and failure to comply could result in the filing of a petition, a court hearing being set, the acquisition of a lawyer and possible adjudication for the offense. Should the requirements of the informal adjustment be met, the referral would close and no further involvement nor any court appearances necessary.
   4. Deferred Adjudication is the last option for altering the course of a case through the legal system for youth involved at the Intake level. In this option, a youth must stipulate, or plead guilty, to the allegation in an adjudication hearing before a judge. Once this occurs, and at the request of the Intake Counselor through approval of the District Attorney, the finding of delinquent by the judge is held over for the youth to complete a formal contract. This contract would be comprised of treatment and accountability agreements created by the Intake Counselor based on assessment of the youth done at the Intake Interview. Should the youth complete and comply with the rules and requirements of the contract, the case would be dismissed and the youth would not move deeper into the system by being referred to probation.
    
6. Should deferment options be deemed inappropriate for a youth and family or not applicable based on the charge or have been offered but the youth and family were not compliant, then an adjudication hearing is set for the case and the acquisition of an attorney must be made.
7. At the adjudication hearing, the alleged delinquent youth and family or legal guardian will be present. At this time, with attorney present and having spoken with the youth regarding the case, an announcement will be made regarding the plea of the youth. The youth should thoroughly discuss all options regarding court proceedings with their attorney and decide on a plea.
8. If a stipulation occurs, or admittance of delinquent behavior and acceptance of the charges alleged, the case will be referred to the Probation Department (link to probation process).
9. If the youth desires a jury trial or trial by judge the hearing dates will be set appropriately for that process and the youth and family should speak with and clarify with their attorney regarding what dates they would need to appear. The trials would occur and an outcome regarding the case reached.
10. Should the outcome be a finding of delinquent, meaning the youth was to have committed the alleged offense, the youth would be referred to the Probation Department (link to probation info). Should the finding be not delinquent or that the court finds the youth did not commit the alleged offenses, the case would be dismissed and no further hearings or court dates would be required.