District Attorney for Youth Aid Panel Case Management Services

Project Description: The Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office (DAO) plays a crucial role in maintaining public safety by prosecuting criminals, including juvenile offenders; supporting victims; and ensuring that justice is served in the County’s criminal justice system. Sometimes, however, restorative justice is warranted, as opposed to criminal prosecution—particularly in the context of juvenile offenders. To this end, the DAO offers the Youth Aid Panel (YAP) Program, a restorative justice program that provides deserving juvenile offenders who have committed non-violent crimes a second chance. This diversionary program acts as an alternative to Juvenile Court and provides juvenile offenders with a chance to take accountability for their actions to the victim and the community with the intention of preventing future offenses. Successful completion of the YAP program means the juvenile will not have a criminal record that can be found through background checks routinely done by colleges and employers.