|
Petitions, Summons, Subpoenas and Warrants:
- A petition is a legal paper containing the written statement which brings the case involving juveniles into court. The petition contains facts concerning the case and requests a hearing to determine the truth of these facts and to take whatever action is appropriate and permitted by law.
- A summons is a legal paper requiring a person to appear in court at the date and time stated on the summons. The petition is delivered with the summons to those people who are required to be in court as parties in the case. No petition is required when a juvenile is arrested and released on a summons written by an arresting officer.
- A subpoena is a legal paper delivered to witnesses who are required to be in court, telling them when and where they are required to appear.
- A warrant is a legal paper accusing a person of committing crimes, requiring that the person be arrested, be brought before a magistrate for a pre-trial release (bail) hearing, and be required to appear in court to answer the accusations.
When Called to Court:
All persons required to appear before the Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court should arrive on time, at the time and place stated on the petition, summons, bail form or subpoena. It is important that everyone involved in a case be ready when the case is called into the courtroom. Though the wait may seem long, everyone must remain until the case is called; to do otherwise is a criminal offense. The court does not have a babysitting service; therefore, the only children who should be brought to court are those children involved in the case or whose presence has been requested or required by the court, an attorney or a probation officer.
|
