Opinion ID: 1350750
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Statutory Protections for Arrested Juveniles.

Text: Under the Juvenile Delinquency Act, juveniles are entitled to distinct procedural protections with regard to interrogation and arraignment, the speed with which they are brought to trial, and the institution of delinquency proceedings against them in federal court. Upon the arrest of a juvenile, the arresting officer must immediately advise [the] juvenile of his legal rights, in language [that is] comprehensi[ble] to a juvenile. 18 U.S.C. § 5033. The arresting officer must also notify the parents, guardian or custodian of the rights of the juvenile, and the juvenile must be taken before a magistrate judge forthwith. Id. Before instituting delinquency proceedings in federal court, the Attorney General must certif[y] to the appropriate district court that one of three conditions exists: the juvenile court or other appropriate court of a State does not have jurisdiction or refuses to assume jurisdiction; the State does not have available programs and services for juveniles; or the offense charged is a crime of violence or a specified drug-related felony. Id. § 5032. The Attorney General must also certify that there is a substantial Federal interest in the case or the offense to warrant the exercise of Federal jurisdiction. Id. Lastly, a juvenile who is detained pending trial must be brought to trial within thirty days from the date upon which such detention was begun, unless additional delay was caused by the juvenile or his counsel, consented to by the juvenile and his counsel, or would be in the interest of justice in the particular case. Id. § 5036.