• How does my child become involved with the Blair County Juvenile Probation Office?

  • If your child commits a misdemeanor or felony offense and is between the ages of 10-17 years of age, your child will be deferred by the arresting police agency. 
  • If your child commits a summary offense, they will most likely be referred to appear in front of a judge at the Magistrate level. When this happens, your child may have to pay fines for the crimes that they have committed. 

• Are Juvenile records expunged automatically?

  • No. A request can be made by your Childs attorney for the record to be expunged under certain circumstances: 
    1. When a complaint is filed which is not substantiated or the petition filed is dismissed by the Court.
        
    2. Six months have elapsed since the final discharge of a person from supervision under a Consent Decree.
        
    3. Five years have elapsed since the final discharge of the person from commitment, placement, probation or any other disposition; and since such discharge, the person has not been convicted of a felony or misdemeanor, or adjudicated delinquent.
        
    4. The individual is 18 years of age, the District Attorney consents to the expungement and a Court orders the expungement after considering the following: the type of offense; the individual's age, history of employment, criminal activity and drug or alcohol problems; adverse consequences that the individual may suffer if the records are not expunged; and whether retention of the record is required for purposes of protection of public safety.

• Do both parents need to attend the court hearing?

  • All parties who are subpoenaed to the court hearing have to attend the court hearing. Failure in doing so can result in a warrant for your arrest.

• Is my child afforded legal council?

  • Yes. Your child will receive a pubic offender at no cost. Children will only be afforded one public defender free of charge. If the parent wishes to seek private council, they may do so but, Blair County Juvenile Probation will not pay for private council.

• What are my child's rights once he/she is detained?

  • Your child must have a detention hearing within 72 hours of his/her admission to detention. During that hearing, a Hearing Officer will decide if your child should remain in detention pending a further Court action. Should your child remain in detention, a full hearing before a Judge must be held within 10 days following the filing of a petition alleging delinquency. 

• What is appropriate court attire?

  • Your clothes should be clean, neat, and free of rips or tears. Shoes must be worn at all times. Clothing and jewelry that include logos, slogans, or pictures of an obscene or derogatory nature to any group or individual, or that could be construed as such, are not acceptable. Remember you will be in a Courtroom with a Judge, attorneys, and other individuals who are responsible for the welfare of your child.

If there are any other questions that you have, please reach out to the Blair County Juvenile Probation Office.