According to data derived from the Federal Bureau of Investigation's Uniform Crime Reporting Program (UCR), the number of juvenile arrests for violent crimes are down while arrests for property crimes are up. Our Satellite Court is an official extension of the Montgomery County Juvenile Court. Due to the backlog of serious or violent felony crime the County requires a much longer period of time to hear cases. The Satellite Court can receive, review, and schedule hearings in a matter of weeks rather than months. Research shows early intervention and attention to misdemeanor criminal activity prevents further contact with the juvenile justice system. One goal of the Satellite Juvenile Court is to be the first and only contact our children have with the justice system. A study done based on 1994 Satellite Court referrals showed that 82% of the young people whose cases where heard at the Satellite Court had no further involment with juvenile court!

Requests for information from other communities who were aware of the excellent reputation of the Satellite Juvenile Court of Washington Township and the City of Centerville have resulted in the establishment of additional satellite courts in Montgomery County. Court Coordinator, Deborah Jay, assisted Miami Township and Miamisburg is establishing their satellite court. The City of Kettering established it's own satellite court in 1995 based on the success of Centerille's program. Mrs. Jay also handles administration for Kettering's Satellite Juvenile Court. Additionally, requests for information on our Court have come from all over Ohio, including Geauga, Butler, Loraine, and Mahoning counties.

Before an arrest is forwarded to the Satellite Court, a record check is completed by Centerville Police Officer Steve Maynard. If the juvenile has no prior arrests and the charge is appropriate, Deborah Jay schedules a hearing and forwards a Notice of Hearing to the parents of the juvenile. Hearings are held in the evening, thus the juvenile will not miss school nor will parents need to take time off from work. Hearings take place in a conference room which is conducive to the private nature of the matter. Records of all proceeding are kept confidential to the extent provided by law. Tom Shultz, a referee with the Montgomery County Common Pleas Court, Juvenile Division, presides over all cases. Mr. Shultz's experience and knowledge have been invaluable. During the hearing the young person is given the opportunity to present his version of the facts as stated in the arrest report. If found to be responsible for the charge, the juvenile will be assigned consequences. These consequences or dispositions include:

• suspension of drivers license
• community service
• written essays
• letter of apology to victim
• admonishment
• unofficial probation
• referral to drug/alcohol counseling
• restitution to victim

The vast majority of children are assigned community service hours. When appropriate, restitution for any expenses incurred by the victim must be paid. Also, a letter of apology must be sent to the Court. This will be forwarded to the victim. If during the offense an automobile was used, suspension of driving privileges may occur. When a charge involves alcohol or other drugs, the case may be referred for chemical dependency assessment or drug screening. Happily, the number of arrests for these types of charges was down in 1997! When parents have concerns about their children's behavior, the Court may hold the case open for thirty, sixty, or ninety days for review. Comments from parents who have participated in the Satellite Juvenile Court have been overwhelmingly positive.

Community service has benefited several local agencies. The work done by juveniles amounts to a savings of several thousand dollars a year had the work been done by city employees. In a sense, juveniles are made to pay recompense to the very community who's laws have been violated. In many instances, children have continued on with their service after completing their "sentence"!

During the past several years there has been much media attention to the problem of juvenile crime. As the citizens of Washington Township and the City of Centerville were being made more aware of these problems, the Satellite Juvenile Court continued to serve this area of need. In the process, the Court has improved communication between the parents, the police agencies, and the school system.

As a caring and concerned community, our visionary community leaders take an active interest in our future citizens rights and responsibilities. To insure the next generation is well equipped to handle the responsibilities of citizenship the Satellite Juvenile Court of Washington Township and the City of Centerville will continue to be a vital segment of government.