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Juveniles and Jail Removal: What the New Law Means

NCJ Number
111223
Date Published
Unknown
Length
7 pages
Annotation
Reforms in the laws governing juvenile detention, which took effect on July 1, 1987, severely limit the use of adult jail and lockups for juvenile detention.
Abstract
Under the reforms, a juvenile may not be held in an adult jail or lockup unless the juvenile is 16 years old or older, there is probable cause to believe the juvenile has committed a felony or poses a serious risk, a more suitable place is not available, the jail staff is adequate to monitor the juvenile at all times, and the jail has been certified as able to prevent a juvenile detainee's contact with adult detainees. No juvenile can be detained longer than 6 hours without a court order or for longer than 24 hours, excluding weekends and holidays. If the juvenile is held in an adult jail serving a metropolitan statistical area, it may be for no longer than 6 hours under any circumstances. The juvenile court must now conduct detention hearings within 24 hours, excluding weekends and holidays. The Department of Human Services is charged with development of a resource directory that will aid the juvenile court and law enforcement officials in locating alternatives to adult jails. A chart compares the new law with the previous statute. Questions and answers about the law are included along with a checklist for the detention of juveniles in adult jails.

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