Kenosha County Juvenile Detention

You can support your loved ones at Kenosha County Juvenile Detention on InmateAid, if you have any immediate questions contact the facility directly at 262-653-2494.

The Kenosha County Juvenile Detention is a medium to low-security detention center located at Molinaro Building
Room 102
912 56th St Kenosha, WI that is operated locally by the Juvenile Justice Department and holds youths awaiting the determination of punishment for the crimes of which they are accused. Most of the adolescents are here for less than two years.

The juvenile justice system differs from the adult system, focusing on rehabilitation and recognizing the developmental differences in juveniles. It aims to protect both the child and the public and helps juveniles become productive adults.

Juveniles are detained if they pose a threat, may miss court, or violate court orders. Parental involvement is crucial for effective supervision and rehabilitation.

Key differences in terminology include "taken into custody" instead of "arrest" and "supervision" instead of "probation." Referrals usually come from law enforcement, and an intake social worker decides the juvenile's placement. An inquiry can lead to dismissal, corrective action, or court involvement.

The process includes a plea hearing, possible evaluations, a pre-trial conference, a fact-finding hearing, and a dispositional hearing to determine the case's outcome. Parents may need to cover associated costs.

Juvenile Court Intake

Mission Statement
To independently assess children and juveniles who come within the jurisdiction of the court on a 24 hour per day, seven day per week basis, making dispositional and other recommendations to the court consistent with chapters 48 and 938 of the Wisconsin State Statutes.

Juvenile Court Intake accepts court referrals from law enforcement agencies, human services departments, school districts and private attorneys.

JUVENILE JUSTICE UNIT
The Kenosha County District Attorney’s Office handles those cases related to minors, including Children in Need of Protection or Services (CHIPS), Juvenile In Need of Protection or Services (JIPS), Juvenile Delinquency, as well as non-private Termination of Parental Rights and non-private Guardianship actions.

There are many differences between the Juvenile Court and Criminal Court proceedings, including (but not limited to):

• Criminal Court proceedings are open to the public. Most Juvenile Court proceedings, however, are confidential by law, and are, therefore, closed to members of the general public.
• In Juvenile Court, there are specific statutory time frames that must be followed.
• Cases for adult defendants are referred directly to our office by a law enforcement agency. Cases involving minors are first referred to Juvenile Intake Services, prior to being referred to our office.
• In Criminal Court, a defendant may proceed pro se (without an attorney). In Juvenile Court, depending on the child’s age, the court may appoint a Guardian ad Litem to represent the best interest of the child, or Counsel to represent the child.

Children in Need of Protection or Services:
These cases involve children who are under the age of 18 years, and include, but are not limited to, cases in which a child is:

• The victim of physical, sexual or emotional abuse;
• At risk of becoming the victim of physical, sexual or emotional abuse, or neglect;
• The victim of neglect;
• At risk of becoming the victim of neglect;
• In need of services due to the unavailability of the parent(s), i.e. when a parent is incarcerated, institutionalized, hospitalized or missing.

Juvenile In Need of Protection or Services:
These cases involve children, under the age of 18 years, and include, but are not limited to, cases in which a child is:

• Habitually truant from school;
• Habitually truant from home;
• Under the age of 10 years and has committed a delinquent act.

Juvenile Delinquency:
These cases involve children, under the age of 17 years, who have been alleged to have committed a violation of State law.

Termination of Parental Rights:
Our office handles termination of parental rights for those children who were subjects of CHIPS cases and meet the statutory criteria for initiating and pursuing a Termination of Parental Rights proceeding (Wisconsin Statutes Chapter 48, Subchapter VIII).

Guardianship Actions:
Our office handles transfer of guardianship actions for those children who were subjects of CHIPS, JIPS and/or Juvenile Delinquency cases who meet the statutory criteria for transfer of guardianship (Wisconsin Statutes Sections 48.977 and 48.978).

For more information contact the Kenosha County District Attorney's Office Juvenile Justice Unit at (262) 653-2400.