Youth welfare in criminal proceedings; participation

Juvenile court assistance, which is provided by the youth welfare offices (district youth welfare offices, municipal youth welfare offices) in cooperation with the youth welfare associations, performs an important task in juvenile criminal proceedings.

It brings educational, social and welfare aspects to bear before the juvenile courts. By researching the personality, development and environment of the young accused and making suggestions for the measures to be taken, the juvenile court assistance supports the court and the public prosecutor's office. It also has the task of promoting the education and reintegration of young offenders through support and care, but also by monitoring their conduct.

In order to achieve this goal, juvenile court assistance works together with other involved agencies (probation officers, pre-trial detention centers, juvenile detention centers) where necessary.

Youth welfare in criminal proceedings accompanies juveniles and young adults under the age of 21 throughout the entire criminal proceedings. It takes into account the educational, social and other aspects that are important with regard to the goals and tasks of youth welfare in juvenile criminal proceedings and checks at an early stage whether youth welfare services can be considered.

The initiation of criminal proceedings often leads to uncertainty and raises many questions among young people, adolescents and their parents. In this situation, youth welfare services try to help during criminal proceedings. It is the point of contact as soon as a young person (14 - 17 years) or adolescent (18 - 20 years) is accused of a criminal offense. Youth welfare services in criminal proceedings explain the course of the proceedings, point out possible consequences and try to work out solutions together with the young person.

The youth welfare service in criminal proceedings

• is the first point of contact "when it happens".
• fulfills the statutory duty of the youth welfare office to cooperate in criminal proceedings against young people (14 - 17 years) or adolescents (18 - 20 years) (in accordance with § 52 SGB VIII, § 38 JGG)
• always receives a notification if a juvenile or adolescent is accused of a criminal offense
• offers counseling for young people and their parents
• accompanies young people before, during and after criminal proceedings
• looks after young people on remand and in prison
• discusses the young person's life situation and future prospects with them
• arranges further counseling and support services if required
• provides information about the course of criminal proceedings
• explains the possible consequences of criminal proceedings
• provides support during the main hearing
• prepares a report for the public prosecutor's office and the court on the life situation
• submits a proposal for educational measures to the public prosecutor's office and the court
• organizes and accompanies the instructions and conditions ordered by the court