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Juvenile Information
Juvenile Court Appearances
If your minor child receives a citation, the child must be accompanied by a parent/legal guardian on the date set by the court. Court dates are mailed to the parents when the citation is received by the court.
The citation cannot be paid in advance of the court date. Appearance in court is mandatory.
Failure to appear in court may result in the parent being charged with an offense of Failure to Appear at Hearing with Child.
Additionally, State Law requires that the court be notified of the current address and residence of the child. Any change in address must be filed with the court within 7 days of the change. Failure to report the current address is a Class C Misdemeanor.
Youth Diversion
H.B. 3186 focuses on helping at-risk youth by identifying and supporting them earlier in the legal process. It allows municipal and justice courts to use diversion programs at the start of a case, instead of waiting until after a conviction or case resolution. This approach aligns with practices used by juvenile courts and probation systems.
The bill also promotes better collaboration and funding opportunities for both rural and urban areas. By January 1, 2025, all municipal and justice courts must adopt a youth diversion plan.
This initiative aims to redirect young people accused of certain low-level offenses (Class C misdemeanors) toward positive outcomes instead of punishment.