Discuss the decision to detain

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

? Most youths taken into custody by the police are released to their parents or guardians. Some are held overnight until their parents can be notified of the arrest.
? Police officers normally take a child to a place of detention only after other alternatives have been exhausted. Many juvenile courts in urban areas have staff members, such as intake probation officers, on duty 24 hours a day to screen detention admissions.
? Ordinarily, delinquent youths are detained if the police believe they are inclined to run away while awaiting trial, or if they are likely to commit an offense dangerous to the parent.
? There is evidence that some decision makers are more likely to detain minority youths, especially if they live in dangerous, lower-class areas.
? The use of screening instruments to determine the need for detention has proven useful.
? Generally, youths should not be held in a detention facility or shelter care unit for more than 24 hours without a formal petition (a written request to the court) being filed to extend the detention period.
? To detain a juvenile, there must be clear evidence of probable cause that the child has committed the offense and that he or she will flee if not detained.
? Although the requirements for detention hearings vary, most jurisdictions require that they occur almost immediately after the child's admission to a detention facility and provide the youth with notice and counsel.
? Student responses will vary.