Detention placement

Clarification of detention placement options for extended jurisdiction juveniles pending revocation hearings is the goal of a new law.

Sponsored by Rep. Joe Mullery (DFL-Mpls) and Sen. Ron Latz (DFL-St. Louis Park), the law is in reaction to new federal legislation. Most of the changes were already in rules, but they are being codified in statute to comply so the state can keep receiving some federal money.

Extended jurisdiction juvenile is designed to give a serious youth offender one last chance. It is used when there is some hope that the youth can be helped in the juvenile justice system, but recognition that this may not happen. A juvenile sentence is imposed on the offender with the caveat that if that sentence is violated, a stayed adult sentence would be imposed. The juvenile court has control of such cases until the offender turns 21.

Under the law, a person convicted as an extended jurisdiction juvenile who has violated conditions of the stayed sentence and is taken into custody pending a revocation hearing must be held in a secure juvenile detention facility. If there is no available facility, the juvenile can be held in an adult confinement facility “up to 24 hours, excluding Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays, or for up to six hours in a standard metropolitan statistical area” provided he or she is kept away from any adults, including “complete sight and sound separation.”

It takes effect Aug. 1, 2010.

HF2607/ SF2755*/CH330