The mission of the Department of Juvenile Services (DJS) is to transform young people’s lives, create safer communities, and forge more equitable systems through community-based partnerships that hold youth accountable while building on their strengths and support systems. For the accountability goal, the department or the youth justice system determines the young person’s obligations to the crime victim and community, helps them to fulfill those obligations and ensures that victims receive the rights to which they are entitled. To hold youth accountable for the offenses they committed, they may participate in programs to learn about and acknowledge the harm caused by their behavior and/or participate in structured activities that benefit the community. They are also required to fulfill their responsibilities to make reparation, pay restitution and complete court-ordered treatment services. DJS supports, facilitates referral for services, and supervises the young person to promote competency development to enable young people to become responsible and productive members of the community.
DJS understands that a young person that commits and is found responsible for delinquent acts in which harms a victim and/or the community. Thereby incurs an obligation to repair that harm to the greatest extent possible. Therefore, DJS offers assistance, support and resources to help victims navigate through the youth justice system. The agency provides information to help them understand: the DJS Intake process, the youth justice system, and victims’ rights afforded to them under Maryland law.
Victims can be provided with:
- Victim Impact Statement form and supporting documentation (repair orders, receipts,etc.)
- Status of a pending complaint
- Explanation of court orders for restitution
- DJS restitution collection process and the status of payments toward restitution
- Information on alternative responses to address the harm such as Restorative Justice programs.
Information on community-based resources that the victim can access directly for services can be provided upon request. Services may include, but are not limited to, counseling, crisis intervention, information regarding financial assistance, and legal representation. The Department of Juvenile Services is committed to ensuring that all victims are treated with dignity, respect, courtesy and sensitivity throughout the youth justice process.
If you are the victim of an alleged delinquent offense and have questions regarding the status of a complaint, how to file a Citizen’s Complaint, request a Peace Order, questions regarding restitution, or for more information on available resources, you may contact your local Department of Juvenile Services office Intake Unit or email
[email protected] or call 410-230-3400.
Helpful Links
Following are links that take you outside of the Department of Juvenile Services' domain but are provided for informational purposes.
