Open Door Counseling & Assessment Services

Court Safety Plans

Why:

Court Safety Plans might be requested by the court in order for an adolescent to be released from the juvenile detention after arrest for a sexual offense allegation. The child’s attorney might also suggest a safety plan be initiated prior to a court hearing in the event it is required. Many times an adolescent will not be released until that is in place.

What:

​The Court Safety Plan is a commitment by the proposed supervisors (usually a family member) and the adolescent that each will  follow the supervision requirements set out in the Plan. It, along with an interview summary, is delivered to the adolescent’s attorney who will then distribute it in its entirety to the prosecuting attorney and judge. If agreed upon by the parties, the proposed supervisors and adolescent will sign-off on the plan and the adolescent will be released into the supervisor’s possession.

How:

OpenDoor is notified by an attorney or parent that a juvenile has been or is going to be placed into detention for an alleged sexual offense and a safety plan is needed. A provider will meet with all of the proposed supervisors and gather information about the adolescent’s living situation, social history, and plans for supervision. The provider will also meet with the juvenile individually and in the detention center if necessary to gather similar information. A report will be prepared and delivered to the attorney in a timely basis.

Although each plan is prepared on an individual basis the following is a sample of supervision requirements and restrictions you might expect in the safety plan:

Supervision Requirements

  1. The child is to have no unsupervised contact with the alleged victim(s).
  2. The child is to have no unsupervised contact with any child under the age designated by the court.
  3. The child is not permitted to play outside without parental (visual contact) supervision.
  4. No other children will be permitted to spend the night in the home.
  5. The child must sleep at his designated residence(s).
  6. The child will remain under designated adult supervision at all times.
  7. The probation department must approve all adults designated to supervise.
  8. The parents must notify the school of pending allegations.
  9. Confirmation that the school has been notified must be provided to the probation department.
  10. Child agrees to abide by all state and federal laws.
  11. The child is not to consume any alcoholic beverage of any kind. No exceptions.
  12. Any significant deviations from the Supervision Plan must be approved by the court.

Additional Requirements

  • Client is not to have access to the internet except for schoolwork with direct parental supervision (must be able to see screen).
  • Client may not access any social networking sites or chat rooms.
  • A door alarm must be installed on the client’s bedroom if there any other children under the age designated by the court or vulnerable individuals in the home. It is to be activated at 9:00pm each night. Client is to remain in his bedroom during the night (emergency situation is the only exception).
  • Parents must remove TV from client’s bedroom
  • Parents must re-program parental blocks (PG 13 and above) on all televisions.
  • Parents must password-protect all computers, gaming systems, smartphones or any other electronic devices allowing internet access.
  • Client must respect his alleged victims physical space by keeping a distance of an arm’s length away at all times.
  • Client is not to be in a swimming pool at the same time as his alleged victim(s) or any other child under the age designated by the Court. Client may swim in the pool with no more than 2 other people over the age designated by the court and may not have physical contact with anyone in the pool.
  • Client must remain no closer than within an arm’s length of any child under the age designated by the court and must be supervised by an appropriate adult at all times. This includes when traveling in a vehicle.
  • There shall be no touching, rough housing, tickling, etc. of any other children at any time.
  • Parent should accompany the child into public restrooms and the child must use the stalls rather than urinals. This will promote privacy and protect the child from others.
  • While supervising the child, parent(s) must refrain from alcohol use. If a parent is drinking alcohol, there must be a non-drinking approved chaperone supervising the child.