Juveniles and Minors

Juveniles
State Law requires all juveniles, 16 years of age or younger, TO APPEAR IN OPEN COURT WITH A PARENT OR LEGAL GUARDIAN FOR ALL PROCEEDINGS IN THEIR CASES. The court will not accept payment nor process any transactions before an appearance is made before the Judge.

Attorneys representing juveniles are required to be present at the court appearance along with the child and parent(s)/legal guardian(s).

Minors
A minor is a person 17 to 21 years of age. State law requires that all minors charged with either an alcohol or tobacco related offense appear in open court. A parent or legal guardian is not required. The court will not accept payment nor process any transactions before an appearance is made before the Judge.

Failure to Appear
Juveniles who fail to appear in court may have an additional charge of “failure to appear” or “violate promise to appear” filed against them. Juveniles who fail to appear or who fail to pay their fine(s) will be reported to the Department of Public Safety who will suspend their driver’s license. If they do not have a driver’s license, they will not be able to obtain one until they appear in court and/or pay their fine. Be aware that driving with a suspended license is a Class B misdemeanor which carries a range of punishments including a fine up to $2,000, incarceration in jail up to 180 days, or both.

Juveniles and their parent(s) have an obligation to provide the Court with their current address of residence in writing. On or before the seventh (7th) day after the date on which juveniles or their parent(s) change residence, the juvenile or his/her parent SHALL notify the court of their current address by Certified U.S. Mail, Return Receipt Requested. A violation of this subsection is a Class C misdemeanor and may result in arrest. The obligation to provide notice ends upon g final disposition of charges filed from juvenile’s citation, and not when the juvenile becomes 17 years old.