We are an independent branch of government constitutionally entrusted by the people to advance and protect the rule of law. We maintain jurisdiction over all children under the age of eighteen and their families who are referred to us for the fair and just resolution of disputes. Therefore, in accordance with the due process of law, our mission is to promote and facilitate community safety through:
• The protection of abused and neglected children through the provision and oversight of services to children and families involved with the court.
• The restoration of victims, families, and the community.
• The reduction of delinquent behavior by holding juveniles accountable through a continuum of prevention, rehabilitation, and transition programs.

If one species had to be chosen to preserve and restore, perhaps it should be cottonwood. Cottonwood-willow forests, where they exist and are healthy, indicated the presence of a viable riparian area, which is in turn the key to conserving great proportions of our native species. A reflection of the dire status of our riparian systems is that the Sonoran cottonwood-willow and Sonoran mesquite-cottonwood forests.