When a case is handled formally, the youth is charged in court with a law violation. A judge will determine if the youth committed the law violation and what the youth’s consequences will be, which may include a period of formal probation supervised by the Juvenile Services Division of the Department of Community Justice.
During probation, a juvenile court counselor will work closely with the youth and support them to meet the requirements of their supervision. If the youth meets the requirements ordered by the judge, they may complete probation successfully. If the youth does not meet the requirements, additional hearings may be scheduled and a judge can address any violations.
The juvenile court counselor can be a resource to you by providing you with information and updates about the case. If you have questions or concerns, you are welcome to speak with the juvenile court counselor. The Juvenile Services Division has a Victim and Survivor Services Unit. The advocates on this team are available to provide you with information about the supervision process, help you connect with the juvenile court counselor, talk about your rights and options, inform you about available resources, and provide emotional support. To reach an advocate, please call 503-988-7606.
Victims’ rights and support during formal supervision
When a youth starts formal probation, an advocate from the Victim and Survivor Services unit will call you to deliver information to you and to answer your questions. If they cannot reach you on the phone, they will also send information to you in the mail. You can update your contact information by contacting an advocate at 503-988-7606 or visit the Case Companion portal.
Some of these rights are automatic, and some must be requested. Please speak with your advocate about your rights.
Financial harm
If the youth caused financial harm, and the judge ordered that they pay you restitution, then the juvenile court counselor will help the youth create a plan to pay restitution. There is an optional program called Project Payback where youth can earn money for restitution by doing community service work. In some situations, the youth will need to focus on other things, like drug or alcohol treatment or other stabilizing services, before participating in Project Payback. The youth may make small payments towards restitution over time, or could pay in a lump sum.
It is common that youth will pay their restitution before they end supervision. However, if a youth finishes supervision and they still owe restitution, then the balance will be sent to collections by the court. The youth’s wages and tax refunds could be garnished for up to 50 years towards paying restitution.
The money that the youth pays will be paid to you via check from the State of Oregon. It may take several months to process and send a check in the mail. In order to send checks to you, it’s very important that your mailing address is up to date. To confirm your address is up to date, please contact an advocate with the Department of Community Justice at 503-988-7606.
If the youth harmed more than one victim, and more than one victim requests restitution, the money that the youth pays will be divided evenly between the victims. If more than one youth caused harm to one victim, they will all be required to pay.
Restorative justice
The Juvenile Services Division partners with Lutheran Community Services NW to offer a Restorative Practices Program. This program is not religious and strives to be welcoming to all people. This program creates space for survivors of crime and other impacted people to share how the crime has impacted them and to explore how their needs can be met. The program also creates an opportunity for the young person that caused harm to work to repair that harm and take responsibility for their actions. Participation in this program is voluntary for all participants.
The Restorative Practices Program is designed to meet the unique needs of those involved in the program. As a result, participation in the program will be different in each case. Restorative practices can include many creative responses to the needs of participants, including but not limited to a Letter of Accountability, a conversation with a trained restorative practices facilitator about your experience, a family or group conference with a facilitator, and a meeting with the young person, support people, and facilitators. If you are interested in this program, please call an advocate at 503-988-7606 or visit the Case Companion portal.
Types of hearings
The formal juvenile justice process can take time. Cases can be scheduled for many hearings, and some hearings may be scheduled more than once during the case. You can learn more about types of hearings below. For all of the following hearings, you have a right to be notified that the hearing is happening, and you can choose if you want to attend or not.
Detention review hearings
A type of release hearing where the judge assesses whether a youth in custody will stay in custody or will be released. To make a decision, the judge will consider recommendations from the prosecutor, defense attorney, and juvenile court counselor. Victims in the case have a right to make a statement at detention, release, or placement review hearings. If you choose to make a statement, the judge will also consider your input regarding your safety, community safety, and placement options.
In situations where a youth is in custody, it is common that these hearings are set very quickly. Sometimes, they are scheduled within one business day. If appropriate housing and parental/guardian care is available, it is common that youth are released. Youth are kept in custody only when the case involves extreme risk to the safety of the victim, the youth, or the community. If the youth stays in custody, the law requires that these types of hearings happen every 10 business days.
During the hearing, the juvenile court counselor, District Attorney’s Office, and the youth’s attorney make recommendations to the court about whether the youth should remain in detention. Their recommendations may include places that the youth could stay if they are released from detention. A youth’s parent or guardian may also address the court and make recommendations.
Victims have a right to attend and may make a statement during these hearings. Your statement may include information you’d like the court to consider about concerns for your safety or the community’s safety if the youth is released from detention. Learn more about your options to make a statement. After considering the recommendations or statements from each participant, the court may order the youth to reside in detention, in an alternative out-of-home placement such as a treatment facility, or return to their home. If the youth remains in detention, another detention review hearing will be scheduled in 10 days. If the youth is released, the judge will outline conditions for the youth to follow and schedule the next court hearing.
These hearings are generally held at 1:45 PM at the Juvenile Justice Complex, located at 1401 NE 68th Avenue, Portland, OR 97213. These hearings are scheduled as a part of a larger docket with other cases. This docket also includes electronic and community monitoring hearings. This means there may be a wait while the court addresses other cases before yours. On average, each case takes about 10-15 minutes to address. You can attend the hearing either in person or by phone. Juvenile court hearings do not allow for video attendance.
Community or electronic monitoring hearing
If the court decides to release the youth from detention, they will have specific conditions they must follow. This is called community monitoring. If the court orders the youth to wear a location tracking or GPS device, this is called electronic monitoring.
Sometimes the court will schedule a hearing to discuss the youth’s performance while on electronic or community monitoring. This is a type of release hearing. At the hearing, the court will consider information from the youth, their attorney, the District Attorney’s office, and the juvenile court counselor. After considering the statements and recommendations, the court will determine if the youth should remain on the same electronic or community monitoring conditions, or be lowered to a less restrictive release plan. The court may also make other changes to the release conditions.
Victims have a right to be notified of and present at electronic or community monitoring hearings. These hearings are typically scheduled about 30 days in advance. They are generally held on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, or Thursdays at 1:45 PM at the Juvenile Justice Complex, located at 1401 NE 68th Avenue, Portland, OR 97213. These hearings are scheduled as a part of a larger docket with other cases. This docket also includes detention review hearings. This means there may be a wait while the court addresses other cases before yours. On average, each case takes about 10-15 minutes to address. You can attend the hearing either in person or by phone. Juvenile court hearings do not allow for video attendance.
Probation review hearings
The youth will have a hearing every 3 to 4 months where their juvenile court counselor will report any updates, challenges, successes, or recommendations. Victims in the case have a right to make a statement during probation review hearings. The District Attorney’s office will also share updates. During these hearings, the judge could choose to make decisions that would impact the youth’s supervision such as changing supervision conditions, ordering the youth to participate in support services, or even ending or extending their supervision.
Probation violation hearings
The purpose of a probation violation hearing is to determine if the youth has violated the conditions of their supervision. If the judge determines that the youth did violate their conditions, then the District Attorney’s office, defense attorney, and juvenile court counselor share their recommendations for what should happen next. Victims in the case have a right to make a statement at probation violation hearings. Examples of what a judge could decide include time in detention, community service, additional conditions, or electronic monitoring.
If the violation is a high-level offense, the case could be addressed by an Alternative Placement Committee which includes representatives from the Juvenile Services Division, the Oregon Youth Authority, the Department of Human Services, the District Attorney’s Office, the youth’s defense attorney, the Multnomah County Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities divisions, and potentially other agencies.
Motion hearings
A hearing where the judge is asked to decide on a legal matter related to the case. Witnesses and victims may be required to testify at these hearings. Victims in the case have a right to make a statement at certain motion hearings.
Attending court
Hearings most commonly occur in person at the Juvenile Justice Center at 1401 NE 68th Ave, Portland, OR 97213 or at the Multnomah County Central Courthouse at 1200 SW 1st Ave, Portland, OR 97204. Additional options to support your safety when attending court could include asking if an advocate is able to come to the hearing with you, asking if an officer from the Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office can escort you out of the building, or asking the judge that the offender stay in the courtroom for 15 minutes after the hearings to give you time to leave. You can also decide to attend the hearing via phone, or not attend at all and receive an update afterwards. For more information about options, call the Victim and Survivor Services Unit at 503-988-7606
If you do not plan to attend the hearing but would like the juvenile court counselor, District Attorney’s Office, or judge to know your input of what you would like to see happen, it’s possible to provide a written statement to be given to the judge or read aloud. Keep in mind that the youth will be present at the hearing.
Tip for victims: The criminal justice system is focused on increasing community safety as a whole. In juvenile court proceedings, it is common to discuss both challenges and progress made by the youth. If you’d like more information about what can be considered by the court or support available to you during the court process, call the Victim and Survivor Services Unit at 503-988-7606.
When a youth is in custody with the Oregon Youth Authority
The Oregon Youth Authority is the agency that operates Oregon’s youth correctional facilities. This agency supervises youth who need more services than the County can offer, or those who commit very serious crimes. Supervision includes assessing housing placements. Sometimes, juvenile court counselors at the Juvenile Services Division collaborate with probation officers at the Oregon Youth Authority when they need support.
The Oregon Youth Authority is responsible for upholding your rights while the youth is under their supervision. Youth can be under the supervision of the Oregon Youth Authority until they are 25 years old. You can update the rights you wish to request by visiting the Case Companion Victim Portal, or by contacting the Oregon Youth Authority directly at 503-731-4971. You can also visit the Oregon Youth Authority website.
Programming
While on supervision, youth may work with support programs that help them make positive changes. Depending on their circumstances, challenges, strengths, needs, and culture, there are a variety of programs they may work with. Below are some of the programs the youth may work with:
Community Healing Initiative
The Juvenile Services Division partners with Latino Network and the Portland Opportunities Industrialization Center to provide culturally specific community support to youth and their families.
Multnomah County Assessment and Evaluation
This program provides voluntary, short-term residential treatment, structure, and stabilization services for youth who require an out-of-home placement.
Hands of Wonder (HOW)
The goal of HOW is to introduce youth to the wonders of the natural world, learn gardening skills, and work as a team to accomplish tasks. These activities are designed to create an environment where youth can learn about and manage stress.
There are opportunities to engage in activities that support the community, including learning about restorative justice. Youth receive stipends for their involvement. Stipends that youth earn may be used towards paying restitution.
The Culinary Arts Program
This job readiness program takes place in the commercial kitchen of Multnomah County’s Courtyard Cafe. The goal of this program is to provide youth with a safe, supportive, and encouraging environment to learn about food preparation, nutrition, safety practices, and to explore a career in the food industry. With their participation, youth receive stipends, letters of reference, and can earn their food handlers card. Stipends that youth earn may be used towards paying restitution.
Glossary of terms
A person under the age of 18 years old who has caused harm and the juvenile justice system is involved. Back to content.
A period of time where a youth will be supervised by a juvenile court counselor. During probation, the youth will be required to meet certain requirements ordered by a judge. Back to content.
The Department of Community Justice works with adult and juvenile offenders. Staff in the juvenile division screen juvenile cases, prepare reports for the court, supervise youth on probation, and collaborate with community organizations to maximize effective services and positive outcomes. Back to content.
A professional who provides case management and support for a youth while their case is processed in the juvenile justice system. Juvenile court counselors are not police officers or probation officers. Back to content.
When the offender has been ordered by the courts or the Oregon Board of Parole to follow certain rules. Back to content.
A person who supports crime victims. Advocates can work with a justice system agency or with a community organization. Their job is to help you understand the justice system and your rights, to attend court with you, to offer emotional support, and to connect you with resources to meet your needs. Advocate services are always free. Visit our resource page for information about advocate services in Multnomah County. Back to content.
You do not have to request your automatic rights. Automatic rights are given to all victims of crime and they include:
- The right to have a meaningful role in the juvenile justice process
- The right to be treated with dignity and respect
- The right to reasonable protection from the youth throughout the justice process
- The right to refuse an interview by any person acting on behalf of the youth (such as the youth’s attorney or an investigator working for the youth’s attorney)
- The right to be informed of your rights as a victim
Opportunities to engage in activities that support the community. Back to content.
Oregon law defines a victim as any person the court or an attorney from the District Attorney’s Office finds has experienced financial, mental, or physical harm as a result of a crime. The victim of the crime may also be a witness in the case. If the victim is under the age of 18, the victim’s parent or legal guardian may also be considered a victim. If the victim lost their life as a result of the crime, the victim’s immediate family may also be considered victims. Back to content.
A nonprofit community partner that facilitates the Restorative Practices Program. This program is not religious and strives to be welcoming to all people. You can reach them at 503-231-7480. Back to content.
An opportunity for a young person who has caused harm to reflect and take accountability for their actions. Back to content.
A professional who has been trained to facilitate difficult conversations in a trauma-informed way. They provide support to both survivors and youth who have caused harm. Back to content.
A lawyer who represents the offender and protects the offender’s rights. Their job is to help the offender understand the court process and fight the charges against the offender. Back to content.
Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM except on court closures or holidays. Back to content.
Rules that the offender must follow. This often includes a no contact order where the offender is ordered not to have contact with the victim of the crime. If the offender violates a condition of release, they are supposed to go back in front of the judge to address the violation. Back to content.
A state agency that runs five youth correctional facilities and four youth transitional facilities. This agency houses and supervises youth who need more services than the County can offer, or those who commit very serious crimes. Correctional facilities are secured and fenced facilities and youth are not allowed to leave the facility. Transitional facilities are secure facilities that focus on supporting youth in building skills to transition back into the community. Youth in transitional facilities are allowed to go into the community for jobs, internships and community service programs. Back to content.
A person that has information related to the case. Witnesses may be required to testify in court hearings by answering questions from both the defense attorney and the District Attorney's Office. Back to content.
When a person participates in a court hearing by answering questions and sharing information related to the case. Before a person testifies, they are sworn in, which means they make a promise to tell the court the truth. When a person testifies, they sit at the front of the courtroom near the judge. Back to content.
The collection of county and state agencies that work together to enforce laws and hold people responsible for breaking Oregon’s laws. These agencies can include: local police, the Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office, Multnomah County Sheriff's Office, Oregon Courts, Oregon Department of Community Justice, Oregon Board of Parole, and Multnomah County Department of Community Justice or other community supervision agencies. Back to content.
Secure, fenced facilities where youth offenders stay if a court orders it. In Oregon, there are nine facilities. Back to content.
This page was produced by Multnomah County under grant number 15POVC-21-GK-01091-NONF, awarded by the Office for Victims of Crime, Office of Justice Programs, U.S. Department of Justice. The opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed on this page are those of the contributors and do not necessarily represent the official position or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice.