The cycle is well-known among law enforcement and court officials: Juveniles get into trouble with the law and perhaps successfully complete a boot camp or drug court program.

But all too often, they are returned to a home environment that is less than conducive to continuing their success.

Maybe the parents are drug users, too.

Or maybe they have a gambling problem or anger management issues.

Possibly they simply struggle in maintaining discipline and controlling their children.

More often than not, this usually results in the parents losing custody of the child, which may or may not result in the juvenile turning their life around.

The worst case scenario is the juvenile growing up to be a repeat offender and living life constantly going through "the system."

Starting this June, however, a new alternative will be available for struggling families in Fifth District Court, thanks to a new specialized Family Court.

The new specialty court, brainchild of Judge Robert Lane and fully supported by Nye County District Attorney Bob Beckett, will offer families an alternative to prosecution in the form of guided self-help through counseling and programs.

In some ways, the family court will mirror Pahrump's highly-successful drug court program that was started in 2002.

Like drug court, participation in the program will be completely voluntary, but there will be consequences if the program is not successfully completed.

Beckett said the voluntary aspect of the program will be a key component in a family's success.

"When parents are truly sincere and they take an honest look at themselves, they realize that they've been bad role models and the child is mimicking their behavior," Beckett said.

Also similar to drug court, participants in the program are subject to random house checks by court officials and will pay the costs for counseling, drug tests, or other fees.

Additional costs will be supported through grant funding.

Both Justice and District courts will be involved.

Counseling for the entire family will be offered through WestCare here in Pahrump and Teens in Crisis in Las Vegas.

Additional support will be offered by a number of state and local agencies, including the Department of Children, Schools, and Families (DCSF), the local state welfare office, No to Abuse and the Department of Juvenile Parole and Probation.

Participants in the family court will be analyzed upon entering the program and be treated in accordance in areas with which they specifically need help.

For example, if a parent needs help with substance abuse, he or she will be guided to Narcotics Anonymous.

Likewise, if parents need help in anger management, they will be directed to an appropriate program.

In some cases, basic parenting skills such as learning how to get kids home by curfew, keeping the house tidy, and general good role-model behavior will also be taught.

But throughout the yearlong process, which will be punctuated by court officials checking on the participants' home, the child's academic standing, and general compliance verification, the family will undergo group counseling and work on improving their internal dynamics.

"When it comes to juveniles, usually -- though not always -- the cause originates with the family," Beckett explained. "This court will focus on correcting problems within the entire family, and we're going to try to break the cycle."

He pointed out 80 percent of juveniles in the court system came from broken homes and are acting out generational behavior patterns.

"Right now the traditional response is to put them under house arrest or send them to Hawthorne or China Ranch," Beckett said, referring to two county youth facilities. "But you can't expect to put them back into a dysfunctional family and get results."

Beckett also pointed out the program could save money by eschewing long and costly court proceedings and incarcerations.

The court may also function as an incentive in custody battles or a way to smooth over nasty divorces.

"Parents need to realize that even though they're in that kind of situation, kids still need to be cared for," Beckett said.

He said he would like to see the program become available in other communities in Nye County, such as Beatty and Tonopah.

Although the program is still in its infancy, Beckett is confident it will be able to change the lives of at least some families.

"We're realistic," he said. "We know there are no quick fixes, but it's family-based and the whole family is going to work together."