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 (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, relative, 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 Links of Interest
• Van Buren County Domestic Violence Coalition
• Van Buren Great Start Parent Coalition - Early Childhood May Newsletter
• Van Buren Intermediate School Adult Education Program
• VBC-0439 Expungement Trifold Flyer (PDF)
• Van Buren Community Mental Health Intervention Program (PDF)
• Michigan Alliance for Families
• Michigan Alliance for Families Upcoming Events: Learning Opportunities

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

Forms for Your Use

• Michigan State Juvenile Court Forms
• Request and Response to Access Juvenile Court Records

Payment Methods

• Exact cash, money order, check (made out to Juvenile Court), and credit/debit card
• 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
  212 Paw Paw Street
  Suite 240
  Paw Paw, MI 49079