Child Rights
YOUR CHILD'S RIGHTS IN JUVENILE COURT
Your child has very similar rights as adults with some
exceptions. Your child has to obey his or her parents,
attend school, and obey all laws. Your child is not entitled
to bail or a jury trial. All trials are done by a juvenile
judge acting in the role of jurors. If your child is taken
into temporary custody by a police officer, there are four
options that can be done by law enforcement:
- Release your child
- Deliver your child to a public or private shelter.
- Prepare a written notice to appear.
- Take your child to a probation officer.
Phone Calls
When a police officer takes your child to a probation
officer at juvenile hall, that officer has a duty to notify
your child's parent or guardian.
Two Phone Calls
- Your child is entitled to two phone calls. One to
his parent or guardian, a responsible relative or his
employer.
- The second call to an attorney.
Many law offices of accept collect calls from
jail or juvenile hall. However, by law, the calls shall be a
public expense if the call is local and made in the presence
of a public office or employee. Any public employee who
willfully deprives your child of this right is guilty of a
misdemeanor pursuant to WIC 627. Whenever your child is
taken before a probation officer, he or she is required to
inform your child and his or her parent or guardian that
anything your child says can be used against him/her and
that your child has a right to remain silent, and have a
counsel present during interrogation, and inform the child
that he has a right to have an appointed counsel if your
child cannot afford an attorney.
It is critical to have privately retained competent counsel
at the early stages of proceedings prior to the arraignment.
An appointed counsel cannot do anything for your child until
he or she has been appointed by the court. This court
appointment occurs after charges have already been filed.
Daybreak Counseling Service
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