Family Division - Juvenile

Phone: 269-983-7111 x 8316
Fax: 269-982-8697

Hours of Court: 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Monday through Friday

Juvenile Counter/Customer Service
Hours: 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday

The Berrien County Trial Court – Family Division – Juvenile Department primarily handles two types of cases: Juvenile Delinquency cases and Child Protective proceedings.

Delinquency Proceedings

Cases in which children under the age of 17 have been charged with a crime. Included in this category are children under the age of 17 who have been charged with a “status offense” – that is, an offenses which would not be considered criminal if committed by an adult. Status offenses include truancy, incorrigibility and runaways.

Juvenile Probation

For more information regarding Juvenile Probation visit the Juvenile Probation Page.

Juvenile Probation Officer Contact List

Visit the Juvenile Probation Officer Contact Page.

Child Protective Proceedings (Neglect/Abuse Proceedings)

Cases in which children under the age of 18 are found within the County to be physically or mentally abused by their parents (or parental figures) or whose health, material, educational or supervisory needs are not being met.

Resources

A Handbook for Youth in Foster Care (PDF)

Child Protection Handbook for Parents of Children in the Child Protection System (PDF)

Child Protection Pamphlet for Parents of Children in the Child Protection System (PDF)

Foster Parents Guide to Court (PDF)

Michigan Indian Family Preservation Act and Indian Child Welfare Act- Resource Guide (PDF)

State Court Administrative Office Child Welfare Services- Online Resources (PDF)

CASA Court Appointed Special Advocates for Children

A Guide for Parents Involved in Michigan’s Child Welfare System

Pretrial Statement - Child Protective Proceedings (PDF)