Juvenile Court

Jurisdiction

The Juvenile Division of the Family Court handles various types of cases, including:

• Juvenile Delinquency - offenses committed by youth under 17 years of age.
• Status Offenses - offenses committed by youth under 17 years of age that are not illegal for an adult (i.e. incorrigibility, runaway, truancy)
• Neglect/Abuse - cases involving Child Protective Services and the neglect and/or abuse of children under 18 years of age
• Juvenile Guardianships - guardianship resulting from a neglect/abuse case
• Adoptions - step parent, adult, related direct placement, guardians

Resources & Help

• Anger Group Flyer (PDF)
• Language Access Coordinator (PDF)
• Language Access Plan (PDF)
• Michigan Alliance for Families (information, support, and education)
• Van Buren Community Mental Health Resources (PDF)
• Van Buren County Domestic Violence Coalition
• Van Buren Great Start Parent Coalition - Early Childhood May Newsletter
• Van Buren Intermediate School Adult Education Program

Adoption & Foster Care

• Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) Foster Care Training
• Post Adoption Resource Center

Detention / Residential Centers

• Allegan Youth Home
• Calhoun County Detention Center
• Ottawa County Detention

For Attorney Information

• State Bar of Michigan-For the Public

Michigan State Court Forms

• Michigan State Juvenile Court Forms

Payment Methods

• Exact Cash, Money Order, Check (made out to Juvenile Court) and credit/debit cards.
• Pay credit/debit online (need case Number and pay location code of 5250).
• Pay credit/debit by phone at 888-604-7888 (need case Number and pay location code of 5250).
• Mail to:
  36th Circuit Court Juvenile Division
  Attn: Finance Department
  212 Paw Paw Street
  Suite 240
  Paw Paw, MI 49079