Darke County Probate/Juvenile Court

The CarTeen program is for the first time juvenile traffic offender and their parents/guardians.

• Juvenile traffic offenders are sentenced to this program; therefore, ordered to attend
• The juvenile is required to bring one parent with them
• The program is held from 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m., on the second Saturday of every month; registration begins at 8:45 a.m.
• The CarTeen program is held at the Ohio State University Extension office, 603 Wagner Avenue, Greenville, OH; next to Edison Community College
• A $30 fee is charged when you register. This fee covers program expenses.
• The CarTeen program is conducted by the Ohio State University, Darke County, and Darke County 4-H, with the Ohio State Patrol, Darke County Juvenile Court, and Darke County Traffic Safety Committee cooperating
• Court costs of $144.00 to be paid to the Court

If you have additional questions, please contact the Court at (937) 547-7350.

Our Mission: To provide a Court Appointed Special Advocate for abused, neglected or dependent children in juvenile court proceedings. Volunteers will advocate for the best interests of the children in an effective, timely, professional manner until the case is permanently resolved.

Every year, abused, neglected or dependent children of Darke County are in need of safe, permanent, nurturing homes. They have no family to call their own and spend years of their childhood moving from one temporary home to another, sometimes getting lost in the system. As CASA, we become these children's voice in the court and advocate for their best interests.

To learn more about becoming a CASA volunteer, please contact Kay Robbins at (937) 547-9091 or krobbins@darkeprobatejuvenile.org.

Base Costs
Misdemeanor	$130.00
Felony	$148.00
Traffic
Moving	$144.00
Non-Moving	$115.00
Seatbelt (Driver)	$30.00 (fine only)
Seatbelt (Passenger)	$20.00 (fine only)
Adult Charges
Nonsupport	$112.00
Contributing	$108.00
Failure to Send	$108.00
Contempt for Child Support	$108.00
Adult Paternity
New Filing	$175.00
Established	$150.00
Consent Entry	$50.00
Tobacco Waiver
Fine	$100.00
Court Costs	$117.00
Miscellaneous
Marriage Consent	No Charge
Custody (Including Home Study Deposit)	Varies
Program Fees
Car Teen (Traffic School)	$30.00*
* In addition to $144.00 Moving Violation Fee
Diversion	$125.00
Other
Copies	$0.50
Certification of Copies	$3.00
Certified Mail	Actual Cost
Application for Counsel	$28.00

Juvenile Court handles the following types of temporary custody changes: Cases involving abuse, neglect or dependency filed by Children Services. Please note that custody changes are not granted for school purposes only.

Question: Can a juvenile petition to become emancipated in Ohio?

Answer: No, Ohio law does not provide a process by which a juvenile can apply for emancipation.

Circumstances Say Whether Minors are "Emancipated"

As a general rule, a child is "emancipated", or freed from parental control, care and custody, upon reaching 18 or upon graduation from high school if the child turns 18 in his or her senior year.

Q. What is a Minor?

A. A minor is someone who has not yet reached the age of 18, and as such, is supported by a parent or guardian and who is responsible for his or her actions. A minor has neither the rights nor the responsibilities of an adult. For example, a minor cannot vote, serve on a jury, get credit in her or her own name, or enter into a legal contract. Someone who turns 18 and continues to be enrolled full-time in high school is no longer a minor and has the same legal rights and responsibilities as an adult, but the parent is still legally obligated to support the person until graduation. The Ohio Revised Code (ORC) does not specifically define the term emancipation, although ORC 3109.10 defines the "age of majority" as all persons who have reached the age of 18 and are under no legal disability. Such persons are considered to be of full age for all legal purposes.

Ohio law generally refers to "emancipation" and "age of majority" when referencing child support obligations of parents. A parent must support a child until the child reaches 18, or beyond age 18 if:

1. the child continuously attends an accredited high school on a full-time basis;
2. the child is mentally or physically disabled and incapable of self-supporting;
3. parents agree to support beyond age 18 in a separation agreement or decree.

Further, Ohio law says that a parent's child support may end earlier than age 18 if the child:

1. Dies;
2. Marries;
3. "Emancipates";
4. Enlists in the Armed Services;
5. is Deported;

Q. I'm 17 years old and I still live with my parents, but I've dropped out of high school and I earn enough money at my job to support myself. Am I emancipated?

A. No, you are still a minor and have not yet finished high school, your parents must support you and are held responsible for your actions (such as your failure to attend school, or any legal contracts you enter into for a lease or utilities).

Emancipation is defined as the freeing of a minor from parental control. The court must determine emancipation on a case-by-case basis, and you, as the minor party seeking emancipation, must satisfy the court that you can financially support yourself and take on adult responsibilities. Also, emancipation cannot be accomplished by an act of the child alone. Emancipation is generally would be the result of some act or omission of your parents.

If a juvenile or domestic relations court has previously issued a child support order for your financial support, as part of a divorce or custody proceeding, your parents may file a motion asking the court to relive them of their duty to support you. However, even if the court grants your parents' request, the order only has to do with severing your parents' financial obligations and does not address other ways in which your parents may still be responsible for you. For instance, if you are not enrolled in school, they may be found liable, and they still must give consent before you can receive most kinds of medical treatment.

Q. If I become pregnant or have a child while I'm still a minor, am I automatically emancipated?

A. No. While getting married generally constitutes emancipation and ends your parents' duty to support you, becoming pregnant and having a child does not. The difference is that, if you marry, it shows you intend to substitute your parents' support and responsibilities with your spouse's support and responsibility. However, if you become pregnant and have a child but do not marry, your parents continue to be responsible for you and you may continue to rely on their support. Further, you and your baby's father would also have support obligations to the new baby.

Q. When and how does a court become involved in an emancipation issue?

A. You cannot "become emancipated" simply by petitioning the court. Ohio law does not allow for such a request, although some other states do allow minor children to file a petition asking the court to find that they are emancipated.

In Ohio, emancipation issues generally arise in the context of child support cases. For example, your parents may ask the court to terminate their support obligations under ORC 3119.88. During this proceeding, the court may issue a finding that you are emancipated. However, unless the court finds that you are emancipated, your parents are no longer obligated to support you.