Rights Adhered to in Juvenile Court

Juveniles have all the same Constitutional Rights as adults but one - they are not entitled to a jury trial but are tried before the court. If the juvenile wants an attorney, and the parents cannot afford to hire an attorney, a public attorney may be appointed to represent the juvenile. Parents must reimburse the county for the attorney fees when the case is completed. At initial appearance the juvenile is advised of all his / her rights:

• To be represented by counsel
• To confront and cross-examine witnesses
• To have charges proved beyond a reasonable doubt
• To know the nature of the charges
• To obtain witnesses and evidence by compulsory process to introduce his own evidence
• To remain silent and not take the witness stand