Juvenile Review Board

A collaborative program involving: South Windsor Youth & Family Services, South Windsor Police Services, South Windsor Public Schools, Juvenile Court

 

The South Windsor Juvenile Review Board (JRB) was established in January of 1993. The purpose of the JRB is to provide a community based mechanism for diverting appropriate juvenile cases from the Juvenile Court system. That mechanism is a board comprised of Youth Service, Police and Court personnel who meet monthly to examine juvenile cases and when appropriate, provide creative restitution opportunities or other alternatives which hold the offender accountable. The JRB strives to make informed decisions on each case by taking into consideration each important area of the youth's life, including home, community and school.

If you have any comments or questions about the JRB or its process, please contact:

South Windsor Youth and Family Services
150 Nevers Road
South Windsor, CT 06074
(860) 648-6361

Click the following links for more information below:

 

What are the goals of the JRB?

The goals of the JRB are as follows:

  • To provide a community based diversionary program of substance which preserves the element of accountability and presents opportunities for positive youth development to juvenile offenders;
  • To enhance communication between the principle youth serving agencies (i.e. YSB Police & Courts) which allows for closer tracking of youth cases and results in increased ability to make decisions which are optimally beneficial to the youth involved.

 

Who sits on the JRB?

JRB members are as follows:

  • Director - Youth Services
  • Human Services Specialist
  • South Windsor Police Department - HS School Resource Officer
  • South Windsor Police Department - TE School Resource Officer
  • Juvenile Court Probation Officer
  • School Administrators from High School and Middle School
  • South Windsor Fire Department Representative

 

Who attends the meetings?

Only board members are present at meetings. The JRB may entertain requests to attend by other agencies or individuals when appropriate. Such requests must be approved by the parent/guardian of the youth whose case is being presented. JRB may request the attendance of the youth and the parent/guardian in specialized instances, but as a rule, they will not be in attendance.

 

What about confidentiality?

As in any juvenile proceeding, all decisions rendered by the JRB are confidential. Information exchanged in the venue of a JRB meeting is also confidential and shall not be discussed outside of the meeting with any individual or agency without a release of information form signed by a parent/guardian.

 

Who is eligible for referral to the JRB?

Any youth under the age of 18 who has committed a misdemeanor offense is eligible. Referral to JRB is for a first time offense only. Any future cases will be referred to Juvenile Court. 

 

How does a youth get referred to the JRB?

As juvenile cases are processed, the offending youth and parent/guardian are informed that the case can be referred to the JRB with parental permission. The parent/guardian is advised about the board and how it functions. They are then offered the opportunity to sign a permission form which refers the case to the JRB. The form also grants permission for JRB Members to gather pertinent information about the youth so that the best decisions can be made on behalf of the youth and the community.

Note: If the parent/guardian elects not to participate in the JRB process, the case will be referred to juvenile court as per the standard procedure.

 

What decision can the JRB make?

The JRB has several options:

  • Verbal or written warning from the officer handling the case;
  • Referral to Youth Services for counseling assessment;
  • Referral to Youth Services for Community Service Restitution;
  • Referral to Juvenile Court
  • Referral to DCF (Department of Children and Families)
  • Referral to other service/agency where appropriate.

The JRB will strive to be creative by assigning community service projects which are impactful, but which provide opportunities for learning and enrichment for both the youth and the community.

Note: The JRB only reviews cases where guilt has been established and in no way functions as a body to determine guilt or innocence.

 

How often does the JRB meet?

Meetings will be held at least once a month. The board may meet more frequently depending on the need.

 

Where are the meetings?

JRB meetings are held at the South Windsor Community Center at 150 Nevers Road, South Windsor, CT.

 

What happens after a decision is made by the JRB?

A letter indicating the JRB's decision is sent to the youth/parent/guardian. In case of referral to Youth Services, the youth must make contact within 5 working days of receiving the letter. The JRB will do appropriate follow-up on a case by case basis to see that all stipulations are met.