If you are under 17 years of age and you break the law, you are taken into custody and turned over to the juvenile court. You do not have to say anything until you talk to a lawyer, other than identifying yourself by name, address and age. The law enforcement officers will take your photograph and fingerprints if you have committed a serious crime. If you are taken into custody for a minor crime, then your fingerprints may be taken only if a judge orders it. You may be held in detention.
Detention is the act of keeping a person confined or imprisoned.
You can be detained up to 24 hours without a court order. You can be detained longer by court order. Your parents must be notified as soon as practicable. The juvenile officer assigned to your case will decide how to handle your case. A juvenile court judge hears the evidence against you.