P. O.  Box 52
1 North Delaware
Phone: (660) 679-4434
Toll Free: (888) 679-4527
Fax: (660) 679-5119

Judge James K. Journey - Juvenile Judge

The Bates County Juvenile Court is a division of the 27th Judicial Circuit of Missouri, (Bates, Henry, St. Clair)

Its purpose is to facilitate the care, protection & discipline of youth who come under the jurisdiction of the Juvenile Court.  This is accomplished though balancing the best interest of children, accountability and community protection.

Referrals to the Juvenile Court break down into three categories

1.  DELINQUENT REFERRALS: These are committed by youth 16 years of age or younger which would be in violation of the Missouri Criminal Code if they had been committed by an adult.

2. STATUS VIOLATIONS: These are acts commented by youth 16 years of age or younger which only apply to youth such as: running away from home, excessive absences from school, being beyond parental control, or exhibiting behavior which is injurious to a youths welfare.

3. ABUSE & NEGLECT REFERRALS: These are reports of children ages 17 years or younger who are victims of abuse or neglect, children who are involved in termination of parental rights& adoption proceedings.

Referrals can come from many services including Law Enforcement, Division of Family Services, Schools, Parents, Relatives, Private Agencies, Citizens & Other Juvenile Courts.

In 2001,  the Bates County Juvenile Court handled:

The 27th Judicial Circuit Juvenile Court utilizes the following services in juvenile cases.