(See Minnesota Statutes 260B.193, 260B.225, 340A.503, and 152.027)

Juvenile Court Philosophy:

The purpose of the laws relating to children alleged or adjudicated to be delinquent is to promote the public safety and reduce juvenile delinquency by maintaining the integrity of the substantive law prohibiting certain behavior and by developing individual responsibility for lawful behavior. This purpose should be pursued through means that are fair and just, that recognize the unique characteristics and needs of children, and that give children access to opportunities for personal and social growth.

Jurisdiction and Venue of Juvenile Court:

  • Offenses

  • Delinquency.

  • Petty offense (status).

  • Major traffic offense.

  • Juvenile under 18 years of age or offense committed while juvenile was under the age of 18 years.Jurisdiction expires when a person turns 19 except if a child has been placed in extended juvenile jurisdiction, then jurisdiction continues until 21 years of age. (Minnesota Statute 260B.193, subdivision 5b)

  • Child in need of protection or services.

  • Adult who contributes to delinquency or neglect of child.

    Definitions:

  • Child/Juvenile/Minor: A person under the age of 18 years; a person who has committed an offense prior to becoming 18 years of age.

  • Delinquent child: A juvenile who has violated a state or local law which defines a crime if committed by an adult.

  • Juvenile petty offender: A juvenile who has committed an act which is an offense by virtue of the fact that the juvenile is under 18 years of age, e.g., alcohol offenses, tobacco violation, curfew; sometimes termed “status offender”.

  • Child in need of protection or services (CHIPS): A child who is without proper parental care, or who is without necessary food, clothing, shelter because his/her parents are unable or refuse to provide them, or who is medically neglected, or who has special needs and his/her parents are unable or refuse to provide for them; a child under the age of 10 years who commits a delinquent act; a habitual truant; a runaway (civil action, non-delinquency).

  • Major traffic offense: Any violation of a state or local traffic law, ordinance, or regulation, or a federal, state, or local water traffic law not included within the provision of Minnesota Statute 260B.225, subdivision. 1, clause c.

  • Adult traffic offenses committed by juveniles:A petty misdemeanor violation of a state or local traffic law, ordinance, or regulation, or a federal, state, or local water traffic law.

  • Juvenile traffic offender: A juvenile who is at least 16 years of age who commits an adult traffic offense is subject to the jurisdiction of the adult court. A juvenile highway traffic offender cannot by place in detention for the petty offense.

  • Certified juvenile: When a child is alleged to have committed, after becoming 14 years of age, an offense that would be a felony if committed by an adult, the juvenile court may enter an order certifying the proceeding to the adult court for action under criminal law.

  • Juvenile alcohol offense: Violation by a child of any of the Minnesota Statute 340A.503 or an equivalent local ordinance.

  • Juvenile controlled substance offense: Violation by a child of Minnesota Statute 152.027, subdivision. 4 with respect to a small amount of marijuana or equivalent local ordinance.

  • Secure detention facility: Physically-restricting facility, including but not limited to a jail, a hospital, institution, or a detention home used for the temporary care of a child pending court action.

  • Shelter care facility:  Physically - restraining facility such as but not limited to a hospital, a group home or a licensed facility for foster care, used for temporary care of a child pending court action.

  • Extended jurisdiction juvenile: A proceeding involving a child alleged to have committed a felony offense is an extended jurisdiction juvenile prosecution if (1) the child was 14 to 17 years old at the time of the alleged offense, a certification hearing was held, and the court designated the proceeding an extended jurisdiction juvenile prosecution; or (2) the child was 16 to 17 years old at the time of the alleged offense; the child is alleged to have committed an offense for which the sentencing guidelines and applicable statutes presume a commitment to prison or to have committed any felony in which the child allegedly used a firearm; and the prosecutor designated in the delinquency petition that the proceeding is an extended jurisdiction juvenile prosecution; or (3) the child was 14 to 17 years old at the time of the alleged offense, the prosecutor requested that the proceeding be designated an extended jurisdiction juvenile prosecution, a hearing was held on the issue of designation, and the court designated the proceeding an extended jurisdiction juvenile prosecution.

Updated February 1, 2019

Last Edited: March 7, 2019