In a case where a 16-year-old fails to appear for a fine-only offense, may the court use a nonsecure custody warrant to obtain appearance?

In a case where a 16-year-old fails to appear for a fine-only offense, may the court use a nonsecure custody warrant to obtain appearance?

• A. True
• B. False
• C. Not specified
• D. Only with police involvement

Answer: (A)

When a juvenile fails to appear for a fine-only offense, the court has a tool to secure the child’s appearance without sending them to a secure jail: a nonsecure custody warrant. This type of warrant authorizes law enforcement to take the juvenile into custody and bring them to court, but it’s not intended to place the juvenile in secure detention. The goal is to compel appearance and address the missed court date, rather than to punish with confinement. The court issues the warrant, and law enforcement carries it out; police involvement is part of executing the warrant, but there isn’t a requirement that it involve secure detention or additional police action beyond bringing the juvenile in.

When a juvenile fails to appear for a fine-only offense, the court has a tool to secure the child’s appearance without sending them to a secure jail: a nonsecure custody warrant. This type of warrant authorizes law enforcement to take the juvenile into custody and bring them to court, but it’s not intended to place the juvenile in secure detention. The goal is to compel appearance and address the missed court date, rather than to punish with confinement. The court issues the warrant, and law enforcement carries it out; police involvement is part of executing the warrant, but there isn’t a requirement that it involve secure detention or additional police action beyond bringing the juvenile in.