JUVENILE DISPOSITION MEMORANDUM

IN THE [FAMILY/JUVENILE] COURT OF [COUNTY] COUNTY

STATE OF [STATE]

In the Matter of:

[JUVENILE'S INITIALS]

A Minor Child

DISPOSITION MEMORANDUM ON BEHALF OF [JUVENILE/STATE]

I. INTRODUCTION

This Memorandum is submitted on behalf of [JUVENILE INITIALS/THE STATE] in advance of the disposition hearing scheduled for [DATE]. The Juvenile was adjudicated delinquent on [DATE] for the offense(s) of [OFFENSE(S)]. This Memorandum sets forth the relevant facts, applicable legal standards, and disposition recommendation.

II. PROCEDURAL HISTORY

Adjudicated Offenses:

III. JUVENILE BACKGROUND

A. Personal Information

B. Family Information

C. Educational History

D. Mental Health History

E. Substance Use History

F. Prior Juvenile Justice History

IV. CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE OFFENSE

A. Offense Summary

[PROVIDE A NARRATIVE SUMMARY OF THE OFFENSE:
- What occurred
- Juvenile's role/level of involvement
- Presence of co-participants
- Harm caused
- Aggravating or mitigating circumstances]
B. Victim Information

☐ No identifiable victim
☐ Victim(s) as follows:

C. Victim Impact Statement

☐ Received and considered
☐ Not received
☐ Victim declined to participate

V. RISK AND NEEDS ASSESSMENT

A. Risk Assessment Results

B. Criminogenic Needs Identified

☐ Antisocial attitudes/beliefs
☐ Antisocial peers
☐ Family dysfunction
☐ Substance abuse
☐ Mental health issues
☐ Educational/vocational deficits
☐ Poor use of leisure time
☐ Lack of positive activities
☐ Other: [SPECIFY]

C. Protective Factors

☐ Family support
☐ Positive school engagement
☐ Prosocial peers
☐ Employment
☐ Community connections
☐ Religious/spiritual involvement
☐ Positive role models
☐ Other: [SPECIFY]

VI. PRE-DISPOSITION REPORT SUMMARY

The pre-disposition report prepared by [PROBATION OFFICER NAME] on [DATE] recommends:

Probation Recommendation:
[SUMMARIZE THE PROBATION DEPARTMENT'S RECOMMENDATION]
Recommended Conditions:
[LIST RECOMMENDED CONDITIONS]

VII. LEGAL FRAMEWORK FOR DISPOSITION

A. Purpose of Juvenile Disposition

The juvenile justice system's primary purpose is rehabilitation, not punishment. Dispositions should be:

1. Individualized to the specific juvenile
2. Focused on treatment and rehabilitation
3. The least restrictive alternative consistent with public safety
4. Proportionate to the offense
5. Designed to address the juvenile's specific needs

B. Dispositional Options

Under [STATE STATUTE], the Court may order:

☐ Probation (supervised community-based)
- Standard probation
- Intensive supervision
- Electronic monitoring

☐ Deferred Adjudication/Disposition

☐ Placement Options
- Residential treatment
- Group home
- Foster care
- Relative placement

☐ Commitment to State Agency
- Determinate commitment
- Indeterminate commitment

☐ Community-Based Sanctions
- Community service
- Restitution
- Day treatment
- Evening reporting

☐ Treatment-Focused Options
- Mental health treatment
- Substance abuse treatment
- Sex offender treatment (if applicable)

VIII. MITIGATING FACTORS

The following mitigating factors support a less restrictive disposition:

☐ Youth and Immaturity: The Juvenile was only [AGE] at the time of the offense and demonstrates [DESCRIBE].

☐ Minor Role: The Juvenile played a minor role in the offense.

☐ Peer Influence: The Juvenile was influenced by older/adult co-participants.

☐ First Offense: This is the Juvenile's first contact with the juvenile justice system.

☐ Acceptance of Responsibility: The Juvenile has accepted responsibility for the conduct.

☐ Remorse: The Juvenile has demonstrated genuine remorse.

☐ Family Support: Strong family support exists to assist with rehabilitation.

☐ Educational Engagement: The Juvenile is engaged in school and performing [WELL/ADEQUATELY].

☐ Mental Health/Trauma: The offense is related to untreated mental health issues or trauma that can be addressed through treatment.

☐ Substance Abuse: The offense is related to substance abuse that can be addressed through treatment.

☐ Low Risk Assessment: Risk assessment indicates low risk of reoffending.

☐ Amenability to Treatment: The Juvenile is motivated and amenable to treatment.

☐ Other: [SPECIFY]

IX. AGGRAVATING FACTORS

(If representing the State or if applicable)

The following aggravating factors should be considered:

☐ Violence involved in the offense
☐ Use of weapon
☐ Vulnerability of victim
☐ Significant harm caused
☐ Leadership role in offense
☐ Prior record/failed interventions
☐ Lack of remorse
☐ Ongoing risk to community
☐ Other: [SPECIFY]

X. PROPOSED DISPOSITION

A. [PARTY]'s Recommendation

[JUVENILE/THE STATE] respectfully recommends the following disposition:

Primary Disposition:

☐ Probation for a period of [DURATION]
- ☐ Standard supervision
- ☐ Intensive supervision
- ☐ Electronic monitoring

☐ Deferred Disposition for [DURATION] with conditions

☐ Placement at [FACILITY/PROGRAM]
- Type: [RESIDENTIAL TREATMENT/GROUP HOME/OTHER]
- Duration: [LENGTH]

☐ Commitment to [AGENCY/DEPARTMENT]
- ☐ Determinate: [DURATION]
- ☐ Indeterminate (not to exceed [DURATION])

☐ Other: [SPECIFY]

B. Proposed Conditions

☐ Obey all laws
☐ Attend school regularly and maintain passing grades
☐ Obey parents/guardians and observe reasonable household rules
☐ Observe curfew of [TIME]
☐ Reside at [ADDRESS] or as approved by probation
☐ Report to probation officer as directed
☐ Participate in counseling/treatment: [SPECIFY TYPE]
☐ Submit to drug/alcohol testing
☐ Abstain from drugs and alcohol
☐ No contact with victim(s)
☐ No contact with co-respondents
☐ No possession of weapons
☐ Community service: [HOURS] hours
☐ Restitution: $[AMOUNT]
☐ Participate in [SPECIFIC PROGRAM]
☐ Anger management program
☐ Substance abuse assessment and treatment
☐ Mental health assessment and treatment
☐ Educational/vocational program
☐ GPS/electronic monitoring
☐ Other: [SPECIFY]

C. Treatment/Service Plan

XI. RESTITUTION

A. Restitution Requested

☐ No restitution applicable
☐ Restitution requested as follows:

Total Restitution Requested: $[AMOUNT]

B. Juvenile's Ability to Pay

☐ Juvenile has employment income
☐ Juvenile has no current income
☐ Payment plan requested
☐ Community service in lieu of monetary restitution

STATE-SPECIFIC NOTES

California

Welfare & Institutions Code 725-741:
- WIC 725: Informal probation (6 months max)
- WIC 725.5: Deferred entry of judgment
- WIC 726: Wardship, probation, or commitment
- WIC 731: Commitment to DJJ (serious offenses only, ages 14+)
- WIC 730: Probation conditions
- Must use least restrictive appropriate alternative

Texas

Family Code Chapter 54.04:
- Progressive sanctions guidelines (59.001 et seq.)
- Probation terms vary by offense level
- Determinate sentencing for serious offenses (54.04(d)(3))
- Commitment to TJJD
- Conditions must relate to rehabilitation

Disposition Options:
- Level 1-5 based on offense and history
- Commitment only for felonies

Florida

Chapter 985.43-985.483:
- Disposition hearing within 15 days of adjudication (detained) or 30 days (not detained)
- DJJ prepares predisposition report with recommendations
- Court may impose sanctions from restrictiveness levels 1-10
- Commitment requires DJJ to recommend appropriate level

Key Provisions:
- 985.433: Predisposition reports
- 985.435: Probation
- 985.441: Commitment

New York

Family Court Act Article 3, Part 5:
- Disposition within 50 days of adjudication
- Options: conditional discharge, probation (2 years max), placement
- Restrictive placement for designated felonies
- OCFS commitment

Key Provisions:
- FCA 352.1: Probation
- FCA 353.3: Placement
- FCA 353.5: Restrictive placement

XII. CONCLUSION

The disposition recommended herein serves the goals of the juvenile justice system: accountability, rehabilitation, and public safety. [JUVENILE INITIALS] is a [AGE]-year-old youth who [SUMMARIZE KEY POSITIVE FACTORS]. The proposed disposition will provide the structure, treatment, and supervision necessary to address the underlying issues while allowing the Juvenile to remain [in the community/receive needed treatment].

[IF DEFENSE]:
The Juvenile accepts responsibility and is committed to making positive changes. A community-based disposition will best serve the interests of [JUVENILE INITIALS], the victim(s), and the community.

[IF STATE]:
The recommended disposition appropriately balances accountability with rehabilitation and provides adequate protection for the community.

WHEREFORE, [JUVENILE INITIALS/THE STATE] respectfully requests that this Court:

1. Adopt the proposed disposition set forth herein
2. Order the conditions recommended
3. Order appropriate treatment and services
4. [ADDITIONAL SPECIFIC REQUESTS]

RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED,

_________________________________
[ATTORNEY NAME]
Attorney for [JUVENILE/STATE]
Bar No. [NUMBER]
[FIRM NAME/OFFICE]
[ADDRESS]
[PHONE]
[EMAIL]

Date: _______________

CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE

I hereby certify that a true and correct copy of this Memorandum has been served upon all parties of record.

Date: _______________

_________________________________
[ATTORNEY NAME]

ATTACHMENTS

☐ Pre-Disposition Report
☐ Risk Assessment Results
☐ Treatment Recommendations
☐ School Records
☐ Mental Health Evaluation
☐ Substance Abuse Assessment
☐ Letters of Support
☐ Treatment Provider Information
☐ Victim Impact Statement
☐ Proposed Conditions (detailed)
☐ Other: [SPECIFY]