Juvenile Court

Washington Parish CourtHouse Benches

Juvenile Court deals with under-age defendants charged in cases of delinquency and dependency. Delinquency refers to crimes (misdemeanors or felonies) committed by minors, and dependency includes cases where a non-parental person may be chosen to care for a minor (Child in Need of Care Proceedings) because a child is neglected or out of the control of their parents. By local court rule, Judge Scott Gardner hears all juvenile matters in St. Tammany and Washington Parishes. Judge Scott Gardner works with CASA, the Indigent Defender’s Office, the District Attorney’s Office, social workers and FINS, as well as state agencies in the juvenile adjudication process.