[directive] These guidelines are intended to reflect the following principles:  1.  A person who may be detained or incarcerated (detainee) has the primary responsibility for ensuring that the needs of his/her dependents are met.  This means the detainee is expected to identify child or adult dependents needing alternative care, to arrange for a responsible adult to meet the needs of the dependents  Judiciary Guidelines - Alternate Care For The Dependents of Persons Detained as a Part of the Judlcfal Process Amended and Promulgated November 1, 2017 Pagel of6 during the detainee's absence, and to request assistance from appropriate public or private agencies if the detainee is unable to identify a responsible adult willing and able to provide appropriate care for the dependents.  2.  While law enforcement agencies have initial responsibility, upon the detention or arrest of a person, the court is also responsible for determining or confirming by appropriate inquiry, pursuant to Subsections 5.3 A, B and C of these Guidelines, that a detainee has been given the opportunity to identify dependents needing alternative care and to identify an adult who can care for the dependents during the detainee's absence, for determining whether the detainee believes the designated adult is suitable to provide appropriate care for the dependent, and for permitting the detainee the opportunity to contact an adult or agency to make arrangements If for the care of his/her dependents.  the detainee identifies an adult that he/she believes is suitable to provide appropriate care for his/her dependents, the court is not required to assess the ability of that adult to meet this responsibility.  However, if based upon information shared by the detainee or otherwise made known to the court in the proceedings, the court reasonably believes the dependent would be at risk of harm if placed in the care of the adult designated by the detainee or if the detainee is unable to identify an adult that he/she believes is suitable to care for his/her dependents, the court will recommend to the detainee that he/she request If assistance from a public or private agency to make alternate care arrangements for the dependent.  the detainee refuses to request such assistance, the court will contact an appropriate agency, on behalf of the If detainee, to request assistance in arranging alternative care for the detainee's dependents.  the court initiates such contact with an agency, the detainee is responsible for making alternative care arrangements with the agency representative and for the costs of services provided by the agency.  3.  While it is important that detainees have a reasonable opportunity to meet their responsibility for making appropriate plans for the alternative care of their dependents, it is imperative that judicial proceedings not be inappropriately delayed by the need to make such plans.  The court should specifically advise detainees that the existence of dependents and the need for the detainee to make arrangements to provide for their care will not delay or otherwise influence the detention, disposition, or sentencing and that, if the detainee is unable to make those arrangements within a reasonable period of time, the court will initiate contact with an appropriate agency, on behalf of the detainee, to request assistance in arranging alternative care for the detainee's dependents.  These guidelines, for use within the Judiciary, are designed to both complement the Attorney General's model policy, as indicated, and to implement the provisions ofN.J.S.A. 2A: 12-13.