If
your child is arrested and taken into custody,
he or she will be transported to the police
station and booked. Booking consists of logging
the name and the reason for the arrest in
the record book. The child will also have
a picture and fingerprints taken.
Next,
if a minor, the child may be released into
your custody. If the crime is more serious,
he or she may be held in jail until arraigned.
Arraignment is when the charges against the
juvenile will be read, and the judge will
ask how the juvenile pleads.
Juvenile
court is less formal than its adult counterpart,
but the accused minor is still entitled to
most major constitutional rights. These rights
include the right not to incriminate oneself,
the right to be represented by an attorney,
and the right to confront and cross-examine
the accusers. Learn more about juvenile rights.
If
your child has been arrested, find out why
he or she was taken into custody and what
needs to happen in order to be released. Ask
that a juvenile defense lawyer be present
when your child is questioned. However, as
parent or guardian, you have to agree with
your child's decision to waive the right to
an attorney. But remember, statements made
to a law enforcement officer may be used against
a juvenile. The right to an attorney should
be waived only after much thought and consideration.
You may wish to indicate to the police that
your child no longer wishes to speak to them.
CONTINUE
WITH JUVENILE LAW>>>
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