A juvenile delinquent has the right to an attorney. The court may appoint an attorney to represent the juvenile if the juvenile's family cannot afford an attorney. In addition, the court may require the juvenile's parents to reimburse the court for attorney fees or other costs. Juveniles who are held in custody are usually placed in a separate juvenile detention center. If the juvenile is held in an adult jail, he or she must be kept separate from adult prisoners.
Juveniles have the right to a jury trial.
The court that most people have contact with is the district court. The district court handles most traffic violations. The district court also hears both criminal and civil cases. All criminal cases, for persons 17 years or older, are started in the district court. The district court explains to the defendant the charges, his or her rights, and the possible consequences if convicted of the charge.