Frequently Asked Questions
This section and the information provided herein is intended to provide general information only and is not intended to be used for legal advice.
Use of this information does not create an attorney-client relationship and shall not be construed as legal advice.
The 5th Judicial Circuit Juvenile Office is not responsible for the use or misuse of information set forth herein. While we try to maintain accuracy, the user must realize that rules, statutes and cases cause the law to be constantly changing and evolving. This information is provided as a courtesy.
Users are warned to obtain the services of an attorney for any and all questions or issues,
including those questions or issues addressed in this material.
The Missouri Juvenile Justice Association website is an excellent resource; you may want to visit their FAQ page.
Use of this information does not create an attorney-client relationship and shall not be construed as legal advice.
The 5th Judicial Circuit Juvenile Office is not responsible for the use or misuse of information set forth herein. While we try to maintain accuracy, the user must realize that rules, statutes and cases cause the law to be constantly changing and evolving. This information is provided as a courtesy.
Users are warned to obtain the services of an attorney for any and all questions or issues,
including those questions or issues addressed in this material.
The Missouri Juvenile Justice Association website is an excellent resource; you may want to visit their FAQ page.
Can we get a tour of the Residential Services locations?
Do you offer a Scared Straight type of program?
How long will my child be detained?
I can't make it to court today...can you change/reschedule my court date?
I was adopted when I was a child. Can I see my court file?
My child is out of control. Can I just drop him/her off at BCA?
What can I do if I believe my child is on drugs or alcohol?
What can I do to get help for my child if he/she is beyond my control?
What happens to my child once he/she is released from detention?
What if I don't pick my child up from detention?
When is my court date?
Where do I make restitution payments?
Do you offer a Scared Straight type of program?
How long will my child be detained?
I can't make it to court today...can you change/reschedule my court date?
I was adopted when I was a child. Can I see my court file?
My child is out of control. Can I just drop him/her off at BCA?
What can I do if I believe my child is on drugs or alcohol?
What can I do to get help for my child if he/she is beyond my control?
What happens to my child once he/she is released from detention?
What if I don't pick my child up from detention?
When is my court date?
Where do I make restitution payments?
Can we get a tour of the Residential Services locations?
Tours are typically available upon request only to higher education groups such as colleges, universities, or criminal justice education groups, and depend on current staffing and resident placement, in order to maintain juvenile confidentiality requirements. To request a tour of our residential facilities, please contact the residential administrative staff at (816)-232-4789.
Do you offer a Scared Straight type of program?
Our office does not offer a "Scared Straight" program.
How long will my child be detained?
A youth must appear before the court within 3 business days for a detention hearing. The juvenile will appear before a judge to determine if the juvenile can be released or be held in detention. If the youth is ordered held, the length of stay is dependent on when the pending charge is disposed. Factors such as availability of witnesses, legal counsel, evaluation completion, and the court's availability impact when cases are able to be disposed.
A youth must appear before the court within 3 business days for a detention hearing. The juvenile will appear before a judge to determine if the juvenile can be released or be held in detention. If the youth is ordered held, the length of stay is dependent on when the pending charge is disposed. Factors such as availability of witnesses, legal counsel, evaluation completion, and the court's availability impact when cases are able to be disposed.
I can't make it to court today...can you change/reschedule my court date?
The Juvenile Office cannot change your court date. You will need to contact the attorney representing you or your child regarding this issue. If you or your child does not have an attorney, you can contact the Buchanan County Circuit Clerk's Office at (816) 271-1462.
The Juvenile Office cannot change your court date. You will need to contact the attorney representing you or your child regarding this issue. If you or your child does not have an attorney, you can contact the Buchanan County Circuit Clerk's Office at (816) 271-1462.
I was adopted when I was a child. Can I see my court file?
You can request a search be initiated for information regarding birth parents. All requests for information must be in writing and must include verification of your identity. The request should specify whether you are seeking non-identifying information (i.e. medical history, educational level) and/or identifying information (i.e. date of birth, social security number). It may also be necessary for your adoptive parents to give their consent for the search. If there was an agency that was involved in your adoption you might consider contacting them for assistance.
Pursuant to Section 453.121 RSMo, the Children's Division maintains a registry where biological parents, siblings, and adoptive adults may indicate their desire to be contacted by each other.
If you have further questions about what to do to obtain adoption records, you may contact an attorney or call the Juvenile Office and ask for the Adoption Specialist.
You can request a search be initiated for information regarding birth parents. All requests for information must be in writing and must include verification of your identity. The request should specify whether you are seeking non-identifying information (i.e. medical history, educational level) and/or identifying information (i.e. date of birth, social security number). It may also be necessary for your adoptive parents to give their consent for the search. If there was an agency that was involved in your adoption you might consider contacting them for assistance.
Pursuant to Section 453.121 RSMo, the Children's Division maintains a registry where biological parents, siblings, and adoptive adults may indicate their desire to be contacted by each other.
If you have further questions about what to do to obtain adoption records, you may contact an attorney or call the Juvenile Office and ask for the Adoption Specialist.
My child is out of control. Can I just drop him/her off at BCA?
No, you may not. Only children who have been ordered by the court are placed at the Academy. However, the Juvenile Office may be able to provide resources to you. The process to refer a child and get the process started can be found on the Intake page of this website, and the referral form is here.
No, you may not. Only children who have been ordered by the court are placed at the Academy. However, the Juvenile Office may be able to provide resources to you. The process to refer a child and get the process started can be found on the Intake page of this website, and the referral form is here.
What can I do if I believe my child is on drugs or alcohol?
If a parent locates alcohol, drugs, and/or paraphernalia (such as a lighter or pipe used for smoking the drug), the parent should call 911. If law enforcement responds and drafts a report, the report will be forwarded to the Juvenile Office. A Deputy Juvenile Officer will contact the family to schedule a conference and begin the process of gathering information that will help develop a plan for intervention and services for the child. If a parent suspects but has no evidence their child is using drugs or alcohol, they can make a referral to the Juvenile Office by filling out a Referral Form. All delinquency referrals are screened for legal sufficiency.
If a parent locates alcohol, drugs, and/or paraphernalia (such as a lighter or pipe used for smoking the drug), the parent should call 911. If law enforcement responds and drafts a report, the report will be forwarded to the Juvenile Office. A Deputy Juvenile Officer will contact the family to schedule a conference and begin the process of gathering information that will help develop a plan for intervention and services for the child. If a parent suspects but has no evidence their child is using drugs or alcohol, they can make a referral to the Juvenile Office by filling out a Referral Form. All delinquency referrals are screened for legal sufficiency.
What can I do to get help for my child if he/she is beyond my control?
Parents can complete a Referral Form regarding their child which is available at the Juvenile Office and for download on this site under Resources – Referral Form. A parent referral is appropriate for status types of offenses (ungovernable behavior, behavior that is injurious to the welfare of the youth, truancy). The referral will be assigned to a Deputy Juvenile Officer (DJO) who will schedule a conference to meet with the parent and child. Communication and cooperation is imperative in order to assist the youth and/or family. Based on information gathered from the parent, child, and initial screenings or assessments, the DJO will develop a plan for intervention which may include one or more of the following:
Parents can complete a Referral Form regarding their child which is available at the Juvenile Office and for download on this site under Resources – Referral Form. A parent referral is appropriate for status types of offenses (ungovernable behavior, behavior that is injurious to the welfare of the youth, truancy). The referral will be assigned to a Deputy Juvenile Officer (DJO) who will schedule a conference to meet with the parent and child. Communication and cooperation is imperative in order to assist the youth and/or family. Based on information gathered from the parent, child, and initial screenings or assessments, the DJO will develop a plan for intervention which may include one or more of the following:
- Refer the child to various community resources (i.e. anger management classes, drug/alcohol intervention programs, tutoring services, individual and/or family counseling)
- Refer the child for Informal Supervision. If your child is referred for Informal Supervision, the DJO will meet with you and your child to develop a case plan. The case plan will include goals specific to your child's needs. The Juvenile Office utilizes a strength based approach to effective behavioral changes.
What happens to my child once he/she is released from detention?
Youth released from detention may be placed on a detention alternative such as in-home detention or electronic monitoring, placed on probation, committed to a residential facility, committed to Missouri Division of Youth Services or certified to stand trial as an adult.
Youth released from detention may be placed on a detention alternative such as in-home detention or electronic monitoring, placed on probation, committed to a residential facility, committed to Missouri Division of Youth Services or certified to stand trial as an adult.
What if I don't pick my child up from Detention?
As a parent, it is your responsibility to pick up your child when the child is released from detention. Failure to retrieve your child may result in a hotline to the Missouri Children's Division which could result in your child being removed from your custody. In the event your child is placed in foster care due to your decision not to pick the child up from detention, you may be required to pay child support to the State of Missouri.
When is my court date?
If a petition has been filed against your child, you will both receive a summons to appear at the Juvenile Office for a court date. Your court date will appear on the front page of the summons. If your date is continued or changed by the Court, you will be notified in writing of the new date. If you are unsure of your court date, you may ask the Deputy Juvenile Officer handling your case.
If a petition has been filed against your child, you will both receive a summons to appear at the Juvenile Office for a court date. Your court date will appear on the front page of the summons. If your date is continued or changed by the Court, you will be notified in writing of the new date. If you are unsure of your court date, you may ask the Deputy Juvenile Officer handling your case.
Where do I make restitution payments?
For restitution ordered on a Buchanan County case, you can make payments in person at the Buchanan County Courthouse, Circuit Clerk's Office. Acceptable forms of payment are: cash, money order or credit card. Money orders should be made payable to Buchanan County. You may also make payments online; you must know your case number in order to do this.
For restitution ordered on an Andrew County case, you can make payments in person at the Andrew County Courthouse, Clerk's Office. Acceptable forms of payment are cash, money order or credit card. You may also make payments online; you must know your case number in order to do this.
For restitution ordered on a Buchanan County case, you can make payments in person at the Buchanan County Courthouse, Circuit Clerk's Office. Acceptable forms of payment are: cash, money order or credit card. Money orders should be made payable to Buchanan County. You may also make payments online; you must know your case number in order to do this.
For restitution ordered on an Andrew County case, you can make payments in person at the Andrew County Courthouse, Clerk's Office. Acceptable forms of payment are cash, money order or credit card. You may also make payments online; you must know your case number in order to do this.
