TJ Bohl, who has worked in juvenile rehabilitation for 18 years, has been selected as the administrator for Pierce County Juvenile Court, which provides court, detention, probation and adoption services.

The selection was made by the judges of Pierce County Superior Court, which oversees Juvenile Court. It’s a promotion for Bohl, who has been Juvenile Court’s assistant administrator overseeing probation since 2005.

“TJ has devoted his career to improving outcomes for delinquent youth,” said Superior Court Judge Kitty-Ann van Doorninck, the Presiding Judge of Juvenile Court. “He has been instrumental in implementing the Juvenile Detention Alternatives Initiative, which is a national model that’s proven to safely reduce the number of youths in custody while setting them on a better path. I am confident his new leadership role will lead to more successful outcomes for our youth.”

Bohl will manage a $19.3 million budget and approximately 147 employees who provide services to any juvenile who violates the law or is in need of protection or advocacy as a result of abuse, neglect or abandonment. Approximately 3,700 juvenile offenders are referred to the court each year, and 2,200 are admitted to detention. In addition, the court manages 1,200 truancy petitions and serves approximately 1,850 abused and neglected youth each year.

Bohl joined Pierce County Juvenile Court in 2000 as a probation officer, and was promoted to supervisor. He moved up to assistant administrator in 2005. Bohl, who earned a Bachelor’s degree in psychology from Western Washington University, started his career with the Friends of Youth/Griffin Home in Renton in 1995. He later worked at the Echo Glen Children’s Center in Snoqualmie and at the Washington State Juvenile Rehabilitation Administration’s Tacoma office.

Bohl succeeds Shelly Maluo, who retired in September.