Cass County Juvenile Office
"Building strong families and capable children while ensuring justice in our community and community in our justice."
The child welfare policy of this state is what is in the best interest of the child.
About Us
The Cass County Juvenile offers services and provides resources to at risk youth. We service 696 square miles and approximately 25,000 youth in Cass County including portions of Kansas City Missouri. We offer Youth Court, Informal and formal service These programs offer services such as online classes; for Anger Management, Marijuana and Drug Prevention, Conflict Resolution, separate in person classes for Young Men and Women, referrals to mental health care, community services, and more. We are committed to building stronger families and capable children in Cass County, Missouri.
Juvenile Referral
A referral is a written report or statement that alleges that a juvenile has committed an offense which if they were an adult would be a crime. For delinquency cases, these referrals come from law enforcement but can also generate from schools or parent voluntary statements.
When a referral is submitted, it should contain the following information: juvenile's name, date of birth, address, parent or guardian's name, reporter's name and information explaining the allegations. In emergency situations, referrals came come in verbal form but must be reduced to writing as soon as possible and sent to the respective office that will be handing the referral.
Intake Process
Once a referral is received by the office, it is reviewed for legal sufficiency by an attorney within the office. If the referral is not legally sufficient, there is no action taken on that referral or a request for more information will be sent to the reporting party.
When there is no action taken on a referral, it is closed and the family is informed that the referral is not being acted upon. If the referral has legal sufficiency, it is assigned to a Deputy Juvenile Officer.
For delinquency referrals, either a petition is filed for formal services, if the offense is of a serious nature and should be brought before the Juvenile Court Judge, or the Juvenile Officer contacts the family to offer informal services, if the offense is a status offense or a misdemeanor and should not be brought in front of the Juvenile Court Judge. For child abuse and neglect, a petition is filed and the Juvenile Officer assigned will contact the parents to inform them of their upcoming court date, which occurs within three business days.
Youth Court
Youth Court is a peer court. Juvenile offenders are given the choice of appearing before the Youth Court or going to Cass County Juvenile Court. They will be tried, judged, defended, and convicted or exonerated by a court of their peers. All Youth Court sessions are monitored by adult mentoring attorneys and judges; however, the youth selected to serve the court will make the final decisions. All cases heard in Youth Court are genuine juvenile cases involving
alleged criminal activity.
Child Abuse and Neglect
Referrals are received from Children's Division, Law Enforcement, and Medical Professionals. The Juvenile office provides recommendations of services needed to the court for the parents and families after allegations of child abuse and neglect.
Education Court
With 19 public school districts in Johnson County Missouri, we are committed to the education of all students in the county. This program is designed as a diversion program for families and children enrolled in kindergarten through sixth grade with excessive absences. The process is designed to help families ensure that children attend and receive an education.
Meet Our Team
Jenay Barker
Chief Juvenile Officer
660-422-7418
Kevin Ambrose
Chief Deputy Juvenile Officer
660-422-7418
Contact us
Location
101 W. Mart Street
Warrensburg, MO 64093