JUVENILES
The Justice Court has jurisdiction over juveniles (16 years or younger) charged with Class C Misdemeanor offenses. All juveniles are required to appear before the judge behind closed doors with a parent or guardian. This is required for all proceedings in each case filed. The parent of a juvenile charged in Justice Court must be present in court with their child. Juveniles who fail to appear in court may have an additional charge of failure to appear filed against them. Juveniles who fail to appear or who fail to pay their fines and court costs will be reported to the Department of Public Safety for suspension or denial of their driver license until such time as the juvenile has appeared and satisfied all court ordered sanctions. Contempt charges may be filed against Juveniles who disobey a court order and may be assessed a fine not to exceed $500.00 plus court costs or referred to juvenile court for contempt.
MINOR APPEARANCES
All alcohol related offenses require appearance by the defendant in open court. This court requires all minors 17 years of age and younger, appear in open court with a parent including offenses charged is a traffic offense. Alcohol related offenses charged to those 18 years of age to 20 years of age may appear without a parent, however, be prepared with your parents address, as the court will send a letter to your parents. All minors 17 years of age and younger charged with a traffic violation are required to appear with a parent in open court.
TRUANT CONDUCT
The Justice Court has jurisdiction over juveniles charged with truant conduct.
A child is subject to compulsory school attendance if the child is:
– at least 6 years of age, and who has not reached the child’s 19th birthday;
– younger then 6 years of age, who has previously been enrolled in 1st grade, and who has not yet reached the child’s 19th birthday.
An individual commits truant conduct if the individual is required to attend school and fails to attend:
– on 10 or more days or parts of days within a six-month period in the same school year.