CHAPTER 145
RELATING TO THE JUVENILE COURT OF NEW CASTLE COUNTY
AN ACT TO AMEND 4334. SECTION 19 OF CHAPTER 116 OF THE REVISED CODE OF DELAWARE, 1935, RELATING TO THE JUVENILE COURT OF NEW CASTLE COUNTY AND THE APPOINTMENT OF PROBATION OFFICERS THEREFOR.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the State of Delaware in General Assembly met:
Section 1. That Chapter 116 of the Revised Code of Delaware, 1935, be and the same is hereby amended by striking out and repealing 4334. Section 19 of said Chapter and inserting in lieu thereof the following new section, to be known and styled as 4334. Section 19.
4334. Sec. 19. Probation Officers; Compensation; Appointment; Chief Probation Officer; Appointment; Compensation; How Paid; Powers; Duties:--The Judge of the Juvenile Court shall have authority to appoint or designate one or more discreet persons, men or women, of good moral character to serve as Volunteer Probation Officers during the pleasure of the Court. Said Probation Officers shall receive no compensation for their services.
The Judges of the Superior Court shall appoint, upon the recommendation of the said Judge of the Juvenile Court, provided they consider the recommendation a proper one, one officer who shall be known as the Chief Probation Officer who shall have had previous experience in Social Welfare work. All probation officers shall be directly under the control of the Chief Probation Officer.
The Judge of the Juvenile Court shall have authority to appoint five probation officers, men or women, who shall be persons of good moral character. One of said probation officers shall be appointed Assistant to the Chief Probation Officer. One probation officer shall be the probation officer for rural New Castle County. The other probation officers shall be appointed for work within the City of Wilmington and may be assigned by the Chief Probation Officer, from time to time, to do the work of the Juvenile Court in rural New Castle County.
The compensation of the Chief Probation Officer and other probation officers for the said Juvenile Court shall be fixed by the Judge of the said Court, by and with the consent of the Mayor and Council of Wilmington, and the Commissioners of the Levy Court of New Castle County. Necessary expenses to an amount not exceeding Two Hundred Dollars (0200.00) per annum shall be allowed each probation officer, with the exception of the probation officer for rural New Castle County and the Chief Probation Officer who shall be allowed an amount not exceeding Three Hundred Dollars (0300.00) per annum.
All salaries and all expenses authorized and provided for in this Section, shall be paid in equal shares--one-half by the Mayor and Council of Wilmington, and one-half by the Levy Court of New Castle County.
The Judge of the Juvenile Court each year shall submit a budget for estimated expenses, salaries and clerical help, to the Mayor and Council of Wilmington and to the Commission is of the Levy Court of New Castle County, at the time designated or fixed by those bodies for the submission of budgets for their fiscal year.
All paid probation officers shall be invested with all the duties and powers set forth in Sections 12 to 30, inclusive, of this Chapter, and for the purposes set forth in these sections shall possess the power and authority of a Sheriff to make arrests, and shall have authority to go into the home of any delinquent, neglected or dependent child.
When any child is brought before the Court, it shall be the duty of a probation officer to make an investigation of such case and to be present in Court to represent the interests of the child when the case is heard, to furnish to the Court such information and assistance as the Court or Judge may require, and to take charge of any child before and after the trial, as may be directed by the Court.
Section 2. This Act shall become operative when passed by the General Assembly and approved by the Governor.