The Intake Department receives and processes many case types filed within the Court. Intake is typically the first contact an individual may have when a case is initiated.
Delinquency complaints are filed with the Clerk of Courts and set for hearings by the Intake Department. Police officers, school officials, or other agencies may file complaints with the cooperation of the Juvenile Prosecutor's office.
Juvenile Rule 9 (A) states, "In all appropriate cases formal court action should be avoided and other community resources utilized to ameliorate situations brought to the attention of the court." The Supreme Court of Ohio has cited research that shows diversion is the most effective manner of disposing most juvenile cases.
Decisions on whether or not a case goes through a diversion program are based on established criteria. This criteria is applied to all incoming cases.
The Assignment Office is responsible for maintaining the schedule of hearings for the entire Juvenile and Domestic Relations Divisions of the Court. This involves scheduling cases for three Judges and seven Magistrates. Judges, Magistrates, Intake Officers, attorneys, and many others work with the Assignment Office to set dates for cases.