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You may have many questions regarding Juvenile Court and Your rights and the Law. Below are several questions and answers regarding the 44th Circuit Court - Family Division - Juvenile Unit. You may also click on You and the Law to view an Adobe.pdf version of the State Bar of Michigan brochure entitled You and the Law which provides a large amount of legal information for youth. |
Topics
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| Topic: Arrests Question: WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU ARE ARRESTED BY THE POLICE? ANSWER: If you are arrested you may be taken to the police station. While you are in the police station, you have the right to remain silent and anything you say may be used against you in Court. If you are under 17 years of age:
NOTE: If you have been arrested for Retail Fraud, first or second degree, more commonly referred to as shoplifting, you may be required to pay a fee to the merchant. This fee, which is based on the amount of merchandise stolen, does not release you from criminal charges. This procedure should be explained to you by the merchant at the time of your arrest. |
| Topic: Attorneys Question: WHAT IS MY ATTORNEYS PHONE NUMBER OR FAX NUMBER? ANSWER: Go to the State Attorney Association directory at the Michigan Bar Website |
| Topic: Attorneys Question: HOW DO I GET A COURT APPOINTED ATTORNEY? ANSWER: To obtain a court appointed attorney you must completely fill out a Request for Appointment of Attorney form and a Financial Statement form and return the signed originals to the Livingston County Juvenile Court. The court will investigate and make a determination if you or your child are eligible for the appointment of an attorney. If you are eligible, the court will appoint an attorney and you will receive a copy of the Order Appointing an Attorney. |
| Topic: Contact Info Question: WHAT IS THE COURT'S FAX NUMBER? ANSWER: The 44th Circuit Court - Family Division - Juvenile Unit fax number is 517-546-3731. |
| Topic: Contact Info Question: HOW CAN I SPEAK TO THE JUDGE, REGARDING MY CASE? ANSWER: You may not speak directly to the Judge/Referee regarding your case. You may submit a letter to the Judge/Referee regarding your case. Your letter will be distributed to all interested parties and may be set for a hearing depending on the contents of the letter. REVIEW OF REFEREE RECOMMENDATIONS - If you disagree with the Referee Recommendations, you may submit a Request for Review of Referee Recommendation - note: this request must be filed with the court within 7 days of the date of the referee's recommendation - Michigan Court Rules 5.991. MOTION FOR REHEARING - Except for the case of a juvenile tried as an adult in the juvenile court for a criminal offense, a party may seek a rehearing or new trial by filing a written motion stating the basis for the relief sough within 21 days after decision of disposition or supplemental disposition. - Michigan Court Rules 5.992. |
| Topic: Costs Question: WHY IS THE PARENT RESPONSIBLE FOR COURT COSTS / COURT FINES / ATTORNEY FEES / OUT OF HOME PLACEMENT COSTS? ANSWER: Parents are responsible for court costs, fines, attorney fees and out-of-home placement costs because the legislation requires it. |
| Topic: Costs Question: WHY IS MY COURT APPOINTED ATTORNEY SO EXPENSIVE? ANSWER: Court appointed attorneys are approximately 1/2 to 1/3 less expensive then a standard attorney. |
| Topic: Custody Question: On the petition it states "TAKE TEMPORARY CUSTODY OF THE MINOR", does this mean my child is going to be taken away from me? ANSWER: Possibly. It is the philosophy of the Court that most children can best be served while remaining in their own homes. However, when parents are unable or unwilling to exercise their rightful control and responsibilities or when delinquent children fail to respond to the efforts of families and agencies, the Court will remove such children from their homes in order to protect the community and to initiate programs to change the attitude and behavior of these children. |
| Topic: Dispositions Question: WHAT IS DISPOSITION? ANSWER: A Dispositional Hearing is similar to what is called sentencing in adult court. However, in the Juvenile Court there is no specific penalty for any specific crime. The Judge can decide what he/she thinks should be done in your best interests and the interests of society. Many juveniles who are found guilty are allowed to go home with their parents on probation, supervised by the Juvenile Court Probation Officers. Others are placed in detention, foster care homes, or in private or state institutional placements. The Judge will decide when you are released from probation or when you can go home; often based on your behavior and attitude. The Court can keep jurisdiction over you until your 19th birthday and in some cases, until your 21st birthday. |
| Topic: Drug Testing Question: CAN ANY PARENT BRING IN THEIR CHILD FOR RANDOM DRUG TESTING, EVEN IF THE CHILD IS NOT UNDER JURISDICTION (COURT ORDER) OF THE COURT? ANSWER: NO, Juvenile has to be under the jurisdiction of the court |
| Topic: General Info Question: WHAT IS THE AGE RANGE OF JUVENILE COURT? ANSWER: Delinquency matters the age range us under 17 years of age, except status offenses the age range is under 16 years old. Neglect/Abuse proceedings the age range is under 18 years of age. |
| Topic: General Info Question: WHEN ARE PARENTS NO LONGER RESPONSIBLE FOR THE ACTIONS OF THEIR CHILDREN? ANSWER: Parents are no longer responsible for the actions of their children when their child turns age 18 or is emancipated. |
| Topic: General Info Question: WHAT IS EMANCIPATION? ANSWER: Emancipation is defined as the freeing of someone from the control of another. Emancipation of a minor means the parents "losing of rights in" or authority and control over a minor. Emancipation gives the minor some of the rights and responsibilities of an adult. Emancipation does not make a minor into an adult and does not give the minor adult status for all things. CLICK HERE to learn more. |
| Topic: Hearings Question: Where is Juvenile Court Located? ANSWER: The Juvenile Court is located in the Judicial Center Building, Suite 3, 204 S. Highlander Way, Howell, MI 48843. |
| Topic: Hearings Question: WHAT HAPPENS AT A PRELIMINARY HEARING AT JUVENILE COURT? ANSWER: If a petition is filed at the Juvenile Court you may be called to the Juvenile Court for a Preliminary Hearing. The Prosecution presents evidence from which the Judge or Juvenile Referee decides whether or not there is probable cause to believe that a crime has been committed by you. At this time, you have the very same rights as you would have if the police were questioning you, and in addition, you have the right to bring witnesses in to testify on your behalf, you may also confront and question those testifying against you. The Judge or Referee may require bail be posted as a condition of your release or you may be ordered into detention pending your trial. If bond is required, both parents and the youth will be required to sign a bond form indicating understanding of the terms and what may happen if those terms are violated. |
| Topic: Hearings Question: WHAT HAPPENS AT A FORMAL COURT PROCEEDING? ANSWER: When you come to court you are presumed innocent of the charge unless you admit your guilt or the Court or jury finds you guilty. If you deny the charges you may request a trial before the attorney referee or a trial before the Judge either with or without a jury. At your Court trial you have the right to be represented by a lawyer, you have the right to remain silent, you and/or your lawyer have the right to ask questions of those who accused you; you have the right to bring in witnesses to help prove that you are innocent; and you have the right to testify yourself. All the parties will be introduced to the Court and the Petition will be read into the Court record. If you admit to the charges in the petition, or the Court or jury decides after the hearing that the allegations are true, the Court will take jurisdiction over you. |
| Topic: Hearings Question: COURTROOM ETIQUETTE - WHAT SHOULD I WEAR TO COURT? ANSWER: Parents and children appearing in court should dress to reflect their respect for the court. Tank tops, revealing blouses, shorts as well as other casual clothing are not appropriate for a court appearance. All persons must act in a quiet dignified manner while in the courtroom |
| Topic: Parenting Question: WHAT DO I DO WHEN MY TEENAGER IS OUT OF CONTROL? ANSWER: You may try some family approaches to prevent or end delinquency. You may also review the incorrigibility section of this web page to obtain additional information that may assist you. |
| Topic: Personal Protection Orders Question: CAN I FILE A PERSONAL PROTECTION ORDER AGAINST MY CHILD? ANSWER: No. |
| Topic: Petitions Question: What happens when a juvenile petition/complaint has been filed? ANSWER: The Juvenile Court has several options on how it can proceed when a petition or complaint is filed. The Court may: 1) deny authorization of the petition 2) refer the matter to voluntary counseling under the Juvenile Diversion Act. These cases are handled without official action of the Court. No official record is made. 3) Direct the matter for further informal inquiry 4) Place the matter on the consent calendar 5) Place the matter on the formal calendar. |
| Topic: Probation Question: WHAT DOES IS THE PROBATION OFFICER'S INVOLVEMENT IN THE COURT HEARING? ANSWER: The juvenile probation officers are responsible for accumulating facts and completing a report regarding each case. In order to gather this information, and interview is held with the juvenile and the parents. Following this appointment, the caseworker gathers information from other sources, such as schools, social agencies, victims, psychiatrists, and psychologists with whom the juvenile and family have been or are presently involved. In order to permit this, both the juvenile and the parents will be asked to sign authorizations for other agencies to release information to the Court. After this material is accumulated, the caseworker completes the report for the Court and offers a recommendation for disposition of the case. You will receive a copy of this report and have an opportunity to refute or comment about the report and the recommendation of the Judge. |
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Livingston County Juvenile Court
204 S. Highlander Way, Suite 3, Howell, MI 48843
Phone 517.546.1500 - FAX 517.546.3731
Juvenile Court email: juvenilecourt@co.livingston.mi.us
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