{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/16.1-309.2.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/16.1-309.2.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/16.1-309.2.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/16.1-309.2.html"}],"law_id":74791,"edition_id":1,"section_id":74791,"structure_id":15139,"section_number":"16.1-309.2","catch_line":"Purpose and intent","history":"1995, cc. 698, 840; 1996, cc. 671, 682; 2019, c. 105.","full_text":"The General Assembly, to ensure the prevention of juvenile crime and the imposition of appropriate and just sanctions and to make the most efficient use of community diversion and community-based and correctional resources for those juveniles who have been screened for needing community diversion or community-based services using an evidence-based assessment protocol or are before intake on complaints or the court on petitions alleging that the juvenile is a child in need of services, child in need of supervision, or delinquent, has determined that it is in the best interest of the Commonwealth to establish a community-based system of progressive intensive sanctions and services that correspond to the severity of offense and treatment needs. The purpose of this system shall be to deter crime by providing community diversion or community-based services to juveniles who are in need of such services and by providing an immediate, effective punishment that emphasizes accountability of the juvenile offender for his actions as well as reduces the pattern of repeat offending. In furtherance of this purpose, counties, cities or combinations thereof are encouraged to develop, implement, operate, and evaluate programs and services responsive to their specific juvenile offender needs and juvenile crime trends.\n\t\tThis article shall be interpreted and construed to accomplish the following purposes:\n\n1\n\nPromote an adequate level of services to be available to every juvenile and domestic relations district court.2\n\nEnsure local autonomy and flexibility in addressing juvenile crime.3\n\nEncourage a public and private partnership in the design and delivery of services for juveniles who come before intake on a complaint or the court on a petition alleging a child is in need of services, in need of supervision, or delinquent or have been screened for needing community diversion or community-based services using an evidence-based assessment protocol.4\n\nEmphasize parental responsibility and provide community-based services for juveniles and their families which hold them accountable for their behavior.5\n\nEstablish a locally driven statewide planning process for the allocation of state resources.6\n\nPromote the development of an adequate service capacity for juveniles before intake on a complaint or the court on petitions alleging status or delinquent offenses.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":268760,"text":"The General Assembly, to ensure the prevention of juvenile crime and the imposition of appropriate and just sanctions and to make the most efficient use of community diversion and community-based and correctional resources for those juveniles who have been screened for needing community diversion or community-based services using an evidence-based assessment protocol or are before intake on complaints or the court on petitions alleging that the juvenile is a child in need of services, child in need of supervision, or delinquent, has determined that it is in the best interest of the Commonwealth to establish a community-based system of progressive intensive sanctions and services that correspond to the severity of offense and treatment needs. The purpose of this system shall be to deter crime by providing community diversion or community-based services to juveniles who are in need of such services and by providing an immediate, effective punishment that emphasizes accountability of the juvenile offender for his actions as well as reduces the pattern of repeat offending. In furtherance of this purpose, counties, cities or combinations thereof are encouraged to develop, implement, operate, and evaluate programs and services responsive to their specific juvenile offender needs and juvenile crime trends.\n\t\tThis article shall be interpreted and construed to accomplish the following purposes:","type":"section","prefixes":[""],"prefix":"","entire_prefix":"","prefix_anchor":"","level":1,"next_prefix":"1"},"1":{"id":268761,"text":"Promote an adequate level of services to be available to every juvenile and domestic relations district court.","type":"section","prefixes":["1"],"prefix":"1","entire_prefix":"1","prefix_anchor":"1","level":1,"prior_prefix":"","next_prefix":"2"},"2":{"id":268762,"text":"Ensure local autonomy and flexibility in addressing juvenile crime.","type":"section","prefixes":["2"],"prefix":"2","entire_prefix":"2","prefix_anchor":"2","level":1,"prior_prefix":"1","next_prefix":"3"},"3":{"id":268763,"text":"Encourage a public and private partnership in the design and delivery of services for juveniles who come before intake on a complaint or the court on a petition alleging a child is in need of services, in need of supervision, or delinquent or have been screened for needing community diversion or community-based services using an evidence-based assessment protocol.","type":"section","prefixes":["3"],"prefix":"3","entire_prefix":"3","prefix_anchor":"3","level":1,"prior_prefix":"2","next_prefix":"4"},"4":{"id":268764,"text":"Emphasize parental responsibility and provide community-based services for juveniles and their families which hold them accountable for their behavior.","type":"section","prefixes":["4"],"prefix":"4","entire_prefix":"4","prefix_anchor":"4","level":1,"prior_prefix":"3","next_prefix":"5"},"5":{"id":268765,"text":"Establish a locally driven statewide planning process for the allocation of state resources.","type":"section","prefixes":["5"],"prefix":"5","entire_prefix":"5","prefix_anchor":"5","level":1,"prior_prefix":"4","next_prefix":"6"},"6":{"id":268766,"text":"Promote the development of an adequate service capacity for juveniles before intake on a complaint or the court on petitions alleging status or delinquent offenses.","type":"section","prefixes":["6"],"prefix":"6","entire_prefix":"6","prefix_anchor":"6","level":1,"prior_prefix":"5"}},"ancestry":[{"id":15139,"edition_id":1,"name":"Virginia Juvenile Community Crime Control Act","identifier":"12.1","label":"article","depth":3,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12701,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:52:28","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:52:28","permalink":{"id":161091,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":15139,"identifier":"12.1","token":"16.1\/11\/12.1","url":"\/16.1\/11\/12.1\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12701,"edition_id":1,"name":"Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Courts","identifier":"11","label":"chapter","depth":2,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12700,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:49","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:49","permalink":{"id":160945,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12701,"identifier":"11","token":"16.1\/11","url":"\/16.1\/11\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12700,"edition_id":1,"name":"Courts Not of Record","identifier":"16.1","label":"title","depth":1,"order_by":1,"parent_id":null,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:49","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:49","permalink":{"id":160919,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12700,"identifier":"16.1","token":"16.1","url":"\/16.1\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}}],"structure_contents":[{"id":57679,"structure_id":15139,"section_number":"16.1-309.10","catch_line":"Visitation and management of detention homes; other facilities; reports of superintendent","url":"\/16.1-309.10\/","token":"16.1\/11\/12.1\/16.1-309.10","metadata":false},{"id":81114,"structure_id":15139,"section_number":"16.1-309.11","catch_line":"Youth justice diversion program","url":"\/16.1-309.11\/","token":"16.1\/11\/12.1\/16.1-309.11","metadata":false},{"id":74791,"structure_id":15139,"section_number":"16.1-309.2","catch_line":"Purpose and intent","url":"\/16.1-309.2\/","token":"16.1\/11\/12.1\/16.1-309.2","metadata":false},{"id":66406,"structure_id":15139,"section_number":"16.1-309.3","catch_line":"Establishment of a community-based system of services; biennial local plan; quarterly report","url":"\/16.1-309.3\/","token":"16.1\/11\/12.1\/16.1-309.3","metadata":false},{"id":72236,"structure_id":15139,"section_number":"16.1-309.4","catch_line":"Statewide plan for juvenile services","url":"\/16.1-309.4\/","token":"16.1\/11\/12.1\/16.1-309.4","metadata":false},{"id":60781,"structure_id":15139,"section_number":"16.1-309.5","catch_line":"Construction, etc., of detention homes and other facilities; reimbursement in part by Commonwealth","url":"\/16.1-309.5\/","token":"16.1\/11\/12.1\/16.1-309.5","metadata":false},{"id":59126,"structure_id":15139,"section_number":"16.1-309.6","catch_line":"How state appropriations for operating costs of Juvenile Community Crime Control Act programs determined; notice of financial aid","url":"\/16.1-309.6\/","token":"16.1\/11\/12.1\/16.1-309.6","metadata":false},{"id":66785,"structure_id":15139,"section_number":"16.1-309.7","catch_line":"Determination of payment","url":"\/16.1-309.7\/","token":"16.1\/11\/12.1\/16.1-309.7","metadata":false},{"id":75554,"structure_id":15139,"section_number":"16.1-309.8","catch_line":"Costs of maintenance of juveniles in Community Crime Control Act programs","url":"\/16.1-309.8\/","token":"16.1\/11\/12.1\/16.1-309.8","metadata":false},{"id":71211,"structure_id":15139,"section_number":"16.1-309.9","catch_line":"Establishment of standards; determination of compliance","url":"\/16.1-309.9\/","token":"16.1\/11\/12.1\/16.1-309.9","metadata":false}],"previous_section":{"id":81114,"structure_id":15139,"section_number":"16.1-309.11","catch_line":"Youth justice diversion program","url":"\/16.1-309.11\/","token":"16.1\/11\/12.1\/16.1-309.11","metadata":false},"next_section":{"id":66406,"structure_id":15139,"section_number":"16.1-309.3","catch_line":"Establishment of a community-based system of services; biennial local plan; quarterly report","url":"\/16.1-309.3\/","token":"16.1\/11\/12.1\/16.1-309.3","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/16.1-309.2\/","history_text":"

This law was first created in 1995. The record of its establishment is cataloged in chapters 698<\/a> and 840<\/a> of that year\u2019s edition of \u201cActs of Assembly,\u201d the annual state publication listing all changes made to the Code of Virginia in that year. It has been modified 2 times. Those modifications are cataloged by \u201cThe Acts of Assembly,\u201d a state publication, by year and chapter. Those modifications that can be read on the General Assembly\u2019s website will be linked accordingly. Those modifications are as follows: in 1996, chapters 671<\/a> and 682<\/a>; in 2019, chapter 105<\/a>.<\/p>","references":[{"id":67041,"section_number":"16.1-278.8:01","catch_line":"Juveniles found delinquent of first drug offense; screening; assessment; drug tests; costs and fees; education or treatment programs","order_by":null,"url":"\/16.1-278.8_01\/"},{"id":86382,"section_number":"16.1-300","catch_line":"Confidentiality of Department records","order_by":null,"url":"\/16.1-300\/"},{"id":72767,"section_number":"2.2-4345","catch_line":"Exemptions from competitive sealed bidding and competitive negotiation for certain transactions; limitations","order_by":null,"url":"\/2.2-4345\/"}],"refers_to":false,"permalink":{"id":161101,"object_type":"law","relational_id":74791,"identifier":"16.1-309.2","token":"16.1\/11\/12.1\/16.1-309.2","url":"\/16.1-309.2\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/16.1-309.2\/","token":"16.1\/11\/12.1\/16.1-309.2","dublin_core":{"Title":"Purpose and intent","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 16.1-309.2","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

The General Assembly, to ensure the prevention of juvenile crime<\/span> and the imposition of appropriate and just sanctions<\/span> and to make the most efficient use of community diversion<\/span> and community-based and correctional resources for those juveniles who have been screened for needing community diversion<\/span> or community-based services using an evidence<\/span>-based assessment protocol or are before intake on complaints or the court<\/span> on petitions<\/span> alleging that the juvenile is a child in need of services<\/span>, child in need of supervision, or delinquent, has determined that it is in the best interest of the Commonwealth to establish a community-based system of progressive intensive sanctions<\/span> and services that correspond to the severity of offense<\/span> and treatment needs. The purpose of this system shall be to deter crime<\/span> by providing community diversion<\/span> or community-based services to juveniles who are in need of such services and by providing an immediate, effective punishment that emphasizes accountability of the juvenile offender for his actions as well as reduces the pattern of repeat offending. In furtherance of this purpose, counties, cities or combinations thereof are encouraged to develop, implement, operate, and evaluate programs and services responsive to their specific juvenile offender needs and juvenile crime<\/span> trends.\n\t\tThis article shall be interpreted and construed to accomplish the following purposes:<\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

1.<\/span> Promote an adequate level of services to be available to every juvenile and domestic relations district court. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

2.<\/span> Ensure local autonomy and flexibility in addressing juvenile crime<\/span>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

3.<\/span> Encourage a public and private partnership in the design and delivery of services for juveniles who come before intake on a complaint or the court<\/span> on a petition<\/span> alleging a child is in need of services, in need of supervision, or delinquent or have been screened for needing community diversion<\/span> or community-based services using an evidence<\/span>-based assessment protocol. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

4.<\/span> Emphasize parental responsibility and provide community-based services for juveniles and their families which hold them accountable for their behavior. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

5.<\/span> Establish a locally driven statewide planning process for the allocation of state resources. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

6.<\/span> Promote the development of an adequate service capacity for juveniles before intake on a complaint or the court<\/span> on petitions<\/span> alleging status or delinquent offenses<\/span>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nPURPOSE AND INTENT (\u00a7 16.1-309.2)\n\nThe General Assembly, to ensure the prevention of juvenile crime and the\nimposition of appropriate and just sanctions and to make the most efficient use\nof community diversion and community-based and correctional resources for those\njuveniles who have been screened for needing community diversion or\ncommunity-based services using an evidence-based assessment protocol or are\nbefore intake on complaints or the court on petitions alleging that the juvenile\nis a child in need of services, child in need of supervision, or delinquent, has\ndetermined that it is in the best interest of the Commonwealth to establish a\ncommunity-based system of progressive intensive sanctions and services that\ncorrespond to the severity of offense and treatment needs. The purpose of this\nsystem shall be to deter crime by providing community diversion or\ncommunity-based services to juveniles who are in need of such services and by\nproviding an immediate, effective punishment that emphasizes accountability of\nthe juvenile offender for his actions as well as reduces the pattern of repeat\noffending. In furtherance of this purpose, counties, cities or combinations\nthereof are encouraged to develop, implement, operate, and evaluate programs and\nservices responsive to their specific juvenile offender needs and juvenile crime\ntrends.\n\t\tThis article shall be interpreted and construed to accomplish the following\npurposes:\n\n1. Promote an adequate level of services to be available to every juvenile and\ndomestic relations district court.\n\n2. Ensure local autonomy and flexibility in addressing juvenile crime.\n\n3. Encourage a public and private partnership in the design and delivery of\nservices for juveniles who come before intake on a complaint or the court on a\npetition alleging a child is in need of services, in need of supervision, or\ndelinquent or have been screened for needing community diversion or\ncommunity-based services using an evidence-based assessment protocol.\n\n4. Emphasize parental responsibility and provide community-based services for\njuveniles and their families which hold them accountable for their behavior.\n\n5. Establish a locally driven statewide planning process for the allocation of\nstate resources.\n\n6. Promote the development of an adequate service capacity for juveniles before\nintake on a complaint or the court on petitions alleging status or delinquent\noffenses.\n\nHISTORY: 1995, cc. 698, 840; 1996, cc. 671, 682; 2019, c. 105.","edition":{"id":1,"name":"2025","slug":"2025","date_created":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","date_modified":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","current":1,"order_by":1,"last_import":null}}