The AND Unit handles child custody, paternity, visitation issues, adult criminal, abuse, neglect and dependency cases.

If parents of a child are not married to each other, Ohio law grants legal custody to the mother unless otherwise ordered by a court.

Any legal problem that you have regarding your child should be referred to an attorney.  If you wish to act as your own attorney, you should be advised that you do so at your own risk and that this court cannot provide you with legal advice.  Upon your request, if you wish to proceed without an attorney, the court will provide you with a packet containing forms that you can prepare and file regarding custody of a child.  Juvenile Court staff may be contacted at the following number to explain the procedure.  (513) 887-3308 or (513) 887-3896.  The toll free number from Middletown is (513) 424-5351 ext. 3308 or 3896.

Any legal problem that you have regarding your child should be referred to an attorney.  If you wish to act as your own attorney, you should be advised that you do so at your own risk and that this court cannot provide you with legal advice.  Upon your request, if you wish to proceed without an attorney, the court will provide you with a packet containing forms that you can prepare and file to request visitation with your child.  You can contact the court at (513) 887-3308 or (513) 887-3896.  The toll free number from Middletown is (513) 424-5351 ext. 3308 or 3896.

Any parent, legal custodian, or person in loco parentis who is involved in a case that has been filed in Juvenile Court has the right to request a court appointed attorney.  Eligibility for court appointed counsel is based upon the income of the household and the guidelines for eligibility as set by the Ohio Public Defender’s Office.  All court appointments are processed through the AND Unit, (513) 887-3308 or (513) 8873896.  The toll free number from Middletown is (513) 424-5351 ext. 3308 or 3896.

Juvenile Court has jurisdiction over child support cases involving parents who have never been married to each other or involving parents who are married but separated and have not filed a divorce and/or dissolution action in the Domestic Relations Court.  Child support cases involving married parents currently seeking a divorce and/or dissolution or already divorced parents are under the jurisdiction of the Domestic Relations Court. 

The paternity filing fee is $65.00 and the support filing fee is $40.00 without service and $50.00 with service. 

If you do not agree with the decision of the Administrative Hearing Officer of the Child Support Enforcement Agency (CSEA), you have a right to request a court hearing by filing an Objection to the Administrative Hearing at Juvenile Court.  In order to ensure that this is done correctly, you may wish to retain an attorney.  If you choose to represent yourself, refer back to the document and instructions received from the CSEA.  The completed objection form along with a copy of your Administrative Order must be filed with Juvenile Court within 14 days of the Administrative Hearing. 

An individual should allow six to eight weeks for the paperwork to be processed through the Child Support Enforcement Agency (CSEA) and the court. The wage assignment can be initiated either through the CSEA or through the Juvenile Court. Once the paperwork is completed, it is sent to the obligor, the obligee and the employer. The CSEA then sets up initial payments or updates the pre-existing payment schedule within the statewide Support Enforcement Tracking System (SETS). All payments are sent to and paid out of the Columbus office.

Any parent, legal custodian, or person in loco parentis who is involved in a case that has been filed in Juvenile Court has the right to request a court appointed attorney.  Eligibility for court appointed counsel is based upon the income of the household and the guidelines for eligibility as set by the Ohio Public Defender’s Office.  All court appointments are processed through the AND Unit, (513) 887-3308 or (513) 8873896.  The toll free number from Middletown is (513) 424-5351 ext. 3308 or 3896.

The filing fee for paternity, support, private abuse, neglect, dependency cases is $65.00.  The filing fee for custody cases is $40.00.  The filing fee for adult criminal cases is $25.00.  See Fines and Costs page for complete list of costs.

The filing fee for Motions without service is $25.00 and $35.00 with service.  See Fines and Costs page for complete list of costs.

Only parties to a case may receive copies of official paperwork through the Juvenile Court Clerk’s Office located at 280 North Fair Avenue, Hamilton, OH 45011.  All requests mst be made in person.  A photo identification must accompany the request for records form.  Copies are 25 cents per page and certified copies are $2.25 per page.

To confirm a hearing date and time, contact the Juvenile Court via the general phone number (513) 887-3317 or (513) 887-3318.  The toll free number from Middletown is (513) 424-5351 ext. 3308 or 3896.

Information on cases pertaining to a juvenile is confidential. Therefore, a deputy clerk is not permitted to release any information on the case including the probation officer’s name. Any pertinent information will be forwarded to the Probation Dept. supervisors.

The Juvenile Detention Center was established to provide short term care in secure custody to juveniles who have been accused of a crime and are awaiting adjudication, who have been adjudicated and court action is pending, who are awaiting transfer to another facility and for those juveniles who cannot be served in an open setting. 

The Juvenile Detention Center is a sixty-six bed facility that can house 14 females and 52 males.  There are six units in JDC that are broken down according to the following classifications: Unit B - female offenders, Unit C - 15 years of age and younger males, Unit D - 13, 14, 15 year old males who are moderate to high risk offenders, Unit E - 16 and 17 year old males who are lower risk offenders, and Unit F 16 and 17 year old males who are high risk offenders.. The resident profile can be described as follows: 63% are technical violators referred from Juvenile Court, 23% are felony offenders, 11% are misdemeanor offenders and 2% are status offenders.  59% of the detention population are white male, 13% are African American males, 22 % are white females, 5% are African American females and 1% are other minorities. 

The only persons permitted to visit are parents, stepparents, and legal guardians.  No more than two visitors per youth are permitted at any visitation.  Attorneys of record can visit during regular business hours.  Clergy are asked to call the facility to schedule an appointment.  Boyfriends, girlfriends, infants and toddlers are not permitted to visit.  In extraordinary cases, special visits may be discussed with the Probation Officer assigned to the youth.  Any special requests may be approved or denied by the Deputy Superintendent or Superintendent of Corrections.  All visitors will be searched by a Deputy of the Butler County Sheriff’s Office prior to admission. 

Youth who are placed in JDC must attend school all year.  Residents are required to attend life skills programs, victim empathy education groups, character education classes, 4-H groups, substance abuse education, fathering classes, HIV early intervention, job skills, and perform community service for court ordered restitution.

Parents or legal guardians are responsible for any medical bills incurred during the time the youth is a resident of the facility.  Each parent or legal guardian is responsible for signing a medical consent form and providing medical insurance information while their child is placed in JDC.  All youth who are admitted to JDC will receive a health assessment by the staff Registered Nurse.  The facility doctor reviews the health assessment and writes any orders for the youth.  Parents are responsible for bringing prescription medication to JDC and are financially responsible for any prescriptions that are ordered. 

The mission of the center is to help youth help themselves by holding them accountable and responsible for the crimes they have committed by stressing victim awareness as the cornerstone of treatment.  A habilitation plan is provided that outlines treatment goals for both the youth and their family.  Comprehensive programing is provided that includes the following: substance abuse program, sexual offender program, life skills program, community service and volunteer tutoring.

The average length of stay in JRC is 156 days.  The facility has 36 beds with 30 for male offenders and 6 for female offenders.  JRC was voted the best Community Corrections Facility (CCF) in Ohio in 1996 by the Department of Youth Services.

The educational program at JRC operates under the Educational Options of the State Department of Education.  The educational program is administered by the Hamilton city School District.  At the time of admission, an educational plan is created for each resident, utilizing home school records to identify the youth’s specific deficiencies.  Throughout the resident’s stay, individualized instruction is provided to enhance academic success.  Prior to release, the educational team will meet with the home school to report the youth’s progress, grades and recommended credits.  An Individual Instruction Plan (IIP) is then created to ensure a smooth transition back to the home school.

Parents or legal guardians are permitted to visit the offender.  New residents do not receive visitation until the third week of their stay at the rehabilitation center.  They are granted one visit a week for 30 minutes.  When a youth moves to Level 1 or 2, they receive two 30 minute visits per week.  Residents who reach Level 3 are permitted a home pass based upon the approval of the primary therapist.  In extraordinary cases, special visits may be discussed with the Probation Officer assigned to the youth.  Any special requests may be approved or denied by the Deputy Superintendent or Superintendent of Corrections.  All visitors will be searched by a Deputy of the Butler County Sheriff’s Office prior to admission.

The court orders that the parent or legal guardian be responsible for any medical bills incurred during the time the youth is a resident of the facility.  Each parent or legal guardian is responsible for signing a medical consent form and providing medical insurance information while their child is placed in JRC.  All youth who are admitted to JRC will receive a health assessment by the staff Registered Nurse.  The facility doctor reviews the health assessment and writes any orders for the youth.  Parents are responsible for bringing prescription medication to JRC and are financially responsible for any prescriptions that are ordered.

The Butler County Juvenile Court is not permitted to advise individuals as to whether or not they are in need of an attorney for a court hearing. Children appearing before the court have a right to be represented by legal counsel. Court appointed counsel may be assigned if the individual qualifies for such a service.

Information on a case pertaining to a juvenile is confidential. No court employee is permitted to release any information on the case including the probation officer’s name. Any concerns that you have may be directed to a Probation Department Supervisor who can respond to your concerns.

The length of probation is determined by an individualized assessment coupled with the completion of all orders of the court.

Each jurisdiction may have curfew restrictions.  You may inquire at your local police department for further information.  Any child on probation has a maximum curfew of 8:00 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 9:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday.

You may initiate counseling through one of the various social service agencies within Butler County or surrounding areas.  If you desire the assistance of the court, the Ohio Revised Code provides for parents/guardians to file unruly charges against their child.  Charges may be filed through your local police department.

The Ohio Revised Code does not provide for the emancipation of juveniles.  Parents are responsible for their child until they reach the age of majority (18 years).

If you are experiencing a problem with a juvenile you should contact your local police department.  If you believe the child is currently on probation you should contact the court and ask to speak to a probation supervisor. 

If the juvenile is under the age of eighteen, state law requires that the juvenile must be accompanied in court by a parent or legal custodian.  If the cited juvenile is eighteen years of age or older at the time of the hearing, only the cited juvenile need appear in court.

Court costs are $70.00 on a non-moving violation, $90.00 on a moving violation. Additional costs may be imposed if subpoenas are issued. The fine is ordered by the Magistrate at the time of the hearing and can range from $5.00 to $250.00.

Effective in January of 1999 Senate Bill 35 was passed which imposed a certain mandatory suspensions for the accumulation of moving violations.  The Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) is now mandated to issue a 90 day suspension on all second moving violations and to issue a one-year suspension on all third moving violations for juvenile traffic offenders.  The court has the authority to issue a suspension of driving privileges for up to two years on any juvenile traffic violation.

The juvenile may be required to take a remedial driving class, pay a reinstatement fee and retest (both written and driving) through the BMV. If the BMV suspends your license you cannot legally operate a motor vehicle until you have your driving privileges restored by the BMV. The court does not have the authority to order the BMV to restore your driving privileges.