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Department of Juvenile Services

The Department of Juvenile Service's Role

What we do

The Department of Juvenile Services (DJS) is involved in each stage of the juvenile justice process in Maryland. However, DJS is not alone in the process. DJS collaborates with law enforcement, courts, attorneys, youth, families, communities, and other state agencies and service providers at various stages.

Intake and pre-court services

Staff assess each young person brought to an intake center and provide recommendations to the juvenile court. They connect youth and families to services, assign case managers, and supervise youth in the community, with more intensive support for those most at risk.

Intake process

Community supervision

For youth assigned to community detention before their court hearing or for youth placed on probation after their court hearing, DJS staff checks in regularly with the youth and their family by phone, at home or school, or in the office. They connect youth to services such as mentoring and substance use treatment, monitor court-ordered conditions, and update the court on progress.

Community Supervision

Detention center management

DJS manages five detention centers across the state where youth may be held on a short-term basis in cases where the police have requested detention. Detention is for the purpose of ensuring that youth will attend court and will not reoffend before their hearing. It is not legally considered an accountability measure. In detention centers, DJS provides full health, mental health, and academic services.

Detention Centers

Committed treatment programs

DJS operates four committed treatment centers in Maryland, for youth committed to the care of DJS after a judge finds them delinquent (called guilty in adult court). These treatment centers offer health and academic services but focus on therapeutic treatment and resources to support youth toward success when they return to the community.

Committed Treatment Programs

What we don't do

  • ​Arrest youth
  • Serve youth with arrest or search warrants
  • Investigate crimes with youth suspects
  • Charge youth with offenses
  • Make final decisions as to:
    • Whether a youth will be detained in the community or a secure detention facility.
    • Whether a youth will receive treatment in the community or a secure treatment facility
    • Whether a youth will be released from a secure detention facility or secure treatment
  • Emancipate minors from their parents