The juvenile will be notified to appear in the family division for an intake interview or a preliminary hearing. At the interview or preliminary hearing, the juvenile may admit or deny guilt, bond will be set, and the next hearing date scheduled. The juvenile's parents or legal guardian must be present during all proceedings, or an attorney must be appointed for the minor.
In serious cases involving juveniles who are over the age of fourteen, the prosecuting attorney may ask the family division judge to transfer the case to district court where the delinquent will be prosecuted as an adult.
A juvenile delinquent has the right to an attorney. The court may appoint an attorney to represent the juvenile if the juvenile's family cannot afford an attorney. In addition, the court may require the juvenile's parents to reimburse the court for attorney fees or other costs.
Juveniles who are held in custody are usually placed in a separate juvenile detention center. If the juvenile is held in an adult jail, he or she must be kept separate from adult prisoners. Juveniles have the right to a jury trial.
2/99
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Last updated 2-5-99
Send your comments, questions and suggestions to Phil Harter at 161
E Michigan Avenue, Battle Creek, Michigan 49014
or e mail to pharter@calhouncountymi.gov.