What is the purpose of a juvenile intake process?

The purpose of the juvenile intake process is fundamentally to determine case handling options for juveniles who come into contact with the juvenile justice system. This is a critical step in the processing of juvenile cases because it involves the assessment of the circumstances surrounding the juvenile's behavior, the legal issues involved, and various factors such as the juvenile's background, community ties, and the nature of the offense.

During intake, professionals such as juvenile probation officers or social workers will evaluate the case to decide whether it should be diverted from the formal court process, referred to community services, or moved forward for adjudication. The goal is to make informed decisions that can lead to interventions that are more rehabilitative rather than punitive, recognizing the developmental differences between juveniles and adults.

While assessing a juvenile's mental health, sentencing, or enrolling in rehabilitation may be important aspects of juvenile justice, they are not the primary focus of the intake process itself. The intake's main objective is to lay the groundwork for how the case will be handled within the system.