Office of Interstate Compact for Juveniles

The Interstate Compact for Juveniles (ICJ) is the law that regulates the interstate movement of juveniles who are under court supervision or have run away to another state. ICJ is a contract that has been adopted as law throughout the United States. Therefore, all state and local officials are legally bound to honor and enforce the terms of the Compact. The compact supersedes any conflicting state law or policy.

STATE ICJ OFFICES

Each member state operates a state ICJ Office that manages interstate juvenile cases, including:

Transfers of Supervision 

• Initial Referral
• Quarterly Progress Reports
• Violation and Absconder Reports 

Travel

• Prior to Acceptance of Transfer
• Visiting Another State
• Notice of Placement for Residential Treatment 

Returns 

• Non-Delinquent Runaways
• Escapees, Absconders, and Accused Delinquents

COMMUNICATION

All written and verbal communication regarding interstate cases must go through the state ICJ Offices and be documented in the electronic data system. Local law enforcement, parole/probation officers, and court personnel may communicate only about an ICJ case with the permission of both state ICJ Offices. Quick Reference Guide for ICJ Cases

SENDING A CASE FOR SUPERVISION

Sending state’s ICJ Office submits a referral through the electronic data system, including:

• ICJ Forms IV, V, and VI
• Petition(s) and/or Arrest Report(s)
• Order(s) of Adjudication/Disposition
• Conditions of Supervision
• Legal and Social History
• Supervision Summary
• Other documents may be required for parolees or sex offenders
• Sending state supervises the case until it is accepted by receiving state.
• If the juvenile already resides in the receiving state, the receiving state obtains the juvenile’s signature on Form VI.
• If a juvenile must move or travel prior to acceptance, a Form VII: Travel Permit is required.

TRANSFERS OF SUPERVISION

• A supervised juvenile who is relocating to another state must be transferred through the ICJ if the juvenile:
• Is classified as a juvenile in the sending state; and
• Is an adjudicated delinquent, adjudicated status offender, or has a deferred adjudication; and
• Is under the jurisdiction of a court of appropriate authority; and
• Has a plan to relocate for a period exceeding 90 days; and
• Has more than 90 days of supervision remaining; and
• Will reside with a legal guardian, relative, non-relative, or independently; OR
• Is a full-time student at an accredited secondary school, university/college, or a licensed specialized training program. A juvenile is not eligible for transfer under the Compact if the sole condition is to collect restitution or if traveling to a residential facility.

RECEIVING A CASE FOR SUPERVISION

Within 45 days of receipt of the referral, the receiving state must provide a home evaluation report, including final approval or disapproval of the request for supervision. Accepting/Denying Supervision

Supervision may be denied if the:

• The proposed residence is unsuitable, or
• Juvenile is not in substantial compliance with terms & conditions of supervision u Supervision cannot be denied:
• Based solely on the juvenile’s age or offense.

If no legal guardian remains in the sending state and the juvenile has a legal guardian in the receiving state.

If Accepted:

• Sending state provides advance notice of departure unless the juvenile already resides in receiving state.
• Quarterly progress reports are due every 3 months.
• Violation and absconder reports are submitted if the juvenile has violated conditions, committed a new offense, or cannot be located.

If Denied:

• Sending state has 5 business days to return the juvenile.
• Sending state may submit a new referral request. Additional Considerations for Supervision
• Sending state retains jurisdiction throughout the supervision.
• Both sending and receiving states have the authority to enforce the terms of supervision. Supervision fees cannot be assessed by the sending or receiving states.

RETURNS OF RUNAWAYS & OTHERS

Contact the state ICJ Office when an out-of-state juvenile is located.

ICJ return procedures must be followed if the juvenile is a/an:

• Runaway: left their residence without permission or refuses to return to their residence as directed
• Accused delinquent: charged with an offense would be considered a criminal offense if committed by an adult
• Absconder: probationer or parolee who hides, conceals, or absents him/herself with the intent to avoid legal process or authorized control
• Escapee: made an unauthorized flight from in custody status or a facility to which he/she was committed. 
• If abuse or neglect is suspected, the holding state notifies the home/demanding state ICJ Office. 
• Allegations of abuse or neglect do not alleviate a state’s responsibility to return a juvenile.

Special Considerations for Non-Delinquent Runaways:

• May be released to the legal guardian or custodial agency within 24 hours.
• If held for more than 24 hours, the ICJ must be applied.
• Runaways & accused status offenders who are a danger to themselves/others must be held in secure facilities until returned.
• The Juvenile Justice Delinquency Prevention Act (JJDPA), which limits the detention of “status offenders,” specifically allows the detention of minors pursuant to the ICJ. Procedures for Returning Runaways, Escapees, Absconders, and Accused Delinquents

VOLUNTARY RETURN

• The court advises the juvenile of his/her rights.
• The juvenile and court signs Form III: Consent for Voluntary Return.
• The holding state submits Form III to the home/demanding state’s ICJ Office via the electronic data system.
• Home/demanding state returns the juvenile within 5 business days of receiving a completed Form III.

NON-VOLUNTARY RETURN

• If the juvenile will not return voluntarily, a requisition must be filed using Form I or II.
• If the legal guardian/custodial agency is unable or refuses to file the requisition, the home/demanding state must initiate the requisition.
• The home/demanding state has 60 days from notice of the juvenile’s refusal to return to petition the court for the requisition.
• Within 30 days of receipt of a requisition, the holding state must hold a hearing.
• The juvenile must be returned within 5 business days of receipt of an order granting a requisition.
• Timeframes may be extended if both state ICJ Offices agree.
• The home/demanding state makes transportation arrangements and determines appropriate measure to ensure safety.
• Juveniles must be detained in secure facilities if they are: a danger to themselves or others, or are held on a warrant.
• Juveniles may be held for a maximum of 90 calendar days.

THE INTERSTATE COMMISSION FOR JUVENILES is the governing body of the ICJ, collectively formed by the Commissioners from each member state and territory. The Commission’s authority extends to all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

To ensure compliance with the compact, the Commission

• Provides training and technical assistance;
• Issues interpretations of rules;
• Conducts Performance Measurement Assessments; and
• Assists with the resolution of disputes between states. If the Commission determines a state has defaulted on its responsibilities under the Compact, the Commission may require corrective action, remedial training, technical assistance; impose fines or fees, or suspend/terminate membership in the Compact.

TRAVEL MANDATORY TRAVEL PERMITS

Travel Permits are mandatory for the following juveniles traveling out-of-state over 24 consecutive hours: Juveniles who have been adjudicated and are on supervision for:

• Sex-related offenses;
• Violent offenses that have resulted in personal injury or death; or
• Offenses committed with a weapon. Juveniles who are one of the following:
• State committed;
• Relocating pending a transfer of supervision;
• Returning to the state from which they were transferred;
• Transferring to a subsequent state; or
• Transferred and the victim notification laws require notification.

OPTIONAL TRAVEL PERMITS

Parolees and Juvenile Sex Offenders: Prior to Acceptance of Supervision When there is no legal guardian in the sending state, it may be necessary for a parolee or sex offender to relocate with a legal guardian prior to the acceptance of supervision. The sending state must: • Determine whether it is appropriate to issue a travel permit. • Include a written explanation why the ICJ procedures for submitting the referral could not be followed. • Submit a complete referral packet within 10 business days of issuance of the travel permit.

TRAVEL PERMITS MAY NOT EXCEED 90 DAYS

If a Travel Permit exceeds 30 calendar days, the sending state provides instructions for the juvenile to maintain contact the supervising agency.

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GEORGIA INTERSTATE COMPACT OFFICE

Tracy Cassell, Deputy Compact Administrator, is responsible for the administration and management of the state’s supervision and transfer of juveniles subject to the Compact. Compact Administrators (along with their deputies and designees) work with other state and local officials on a wide variety of issues related to the:

• return of runaways; probation/parole absconders; escapees; accused delinquents; status offenders;
• transfer of supervision;
• quarterly progress and violation reports;
• travel permits;
• airport surveillance requests; and
• operation of State Councils on Interstate Supervision of Juveniles;
• Cooperative supervision of delinquent and status offender or deferred adjudication youths on probation or parole in a state other than where adjudication and disposition occurred;
• Arranges the return of non-delinquent runaways/absconders to their home state;
• Arranges the return of escapees and absconders to the state from which they fled;
• Provides notification for out-of-state travel;
• Educates courts, agencies, and law enforcement personnel on the ICJ process;
• Ensures compliance with ICJ Rules; and
• Resolves disputes between states.