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Juvenile Division
Michael T. Spokely
Chief, Juvenile Division
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Susan K. Lucas |
Assistant
State's Attorney |
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Nicole L. Slee |
Assistant
State's Attorney |
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Brenda M. McCavitt
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Assistant
State's Attorney |
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Kenneth A. Wilhelm |
Assistant
State's Attorney |
The Juvenile
Division covers two areas: protection of abused and neglected children; and
prosecution of juveniles (those 16 years of age and younger) who commit crimes in Peoria County.
In "abuse and
neglect" cases, the State's Attorney's Office petitions the court to take actions to
protect children who are in abusive environments or are neglected by parents or caregivers. Outcomes from these petitions range from placement of the children back with
their parents under various degrees of supervision from Department Children
Family Services (DCFS) and other social agencies, to
outright termination of parental rights, and permanent placement of children in
healthier environments or families.
The other responsibility
of the Juvenile Division is the prosecution of offenders age 16 and under for felony and
misdemeanor offenses (excluding traffic). Juveniles who are found to be delinquent for
criminal acts can be given dispositions that range from probation to placement at juvenile detention
facilities, including the Department of Corrections.
Under Illinois law,
Juvenile court hearings are closed to the general public.
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