Juvenile law; makes changes in code pertaining to juveniles and juvenile court provisions. (SB1149)
Introduced By
Progress
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Introduced |
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Passed Committee |
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Passed House |
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Passed Senate |
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Signed by Governor |
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Became Law |
Description
Juvenile code. Makes various clarifying changes in code sections pertaining to juveniles and juvenile court provisions. The bill specifies that the statutory deferred disposition provisions for underage possession of alcohol apply only to adults, since the law pertaining to juveniles already allows deferred dispositions, allows juvenile probation officers to keep relevant photographs in their files, provides that a guardian ad litem of a child may file a petition alleging that the child is in need of services or supervision, specifies that a petition must be filed (rather than proceeding informally) if the offense for which the juvenile had been previously adjudicated delinquent would be a felony if committed by an adult, removes references to juvenile boot camps because they do not exist and provides that a petition may be filed for assault and battery against a family or household member. The bill also repeals two sections (protective orders in cases of family abuse and exception as to confidentiality) and reinserts the same language in the Code in renumbered sections. Amends § 16.1-237 (“Powers, duties and functions of probation and parole officers.”), § 16.1-260 (“Intake; petition; investigation.”), § 18.2-57.2 (“Assault and battery against a family or household member; penalty.”), § 4.1-305 (“Purchasing or possessing alcoholic beverages unlawful in certain cases; venue; exceptions; penalty; forfeiture; deferred proceedings; treatment and education programs and services.”), of the Code of Virginia. View Full Text »
Comments
Juvenile intake does occasionally divert kids with felonies (with police agreement) because of the circumstances. There is absolutely no reason to take this out of the hands of intake officers. Diversion contracts include what the kid is supposed to do to avoid being brought back to intake. There is already a provision for kids to be sent to court if they aren’t compliant with diversion requirements.
This bill will result in heavier court dockets and more juveniles on probation when appropriate services would suffice. We need to stop taking daily decisions out of the hands of probation officers and judges who know the circumstances and what services exist in their communities.