NCJ Number
201655
Date Published
2001
Length
34 pages
Annotation
This document presents a guide to juvenile procedures for delinquency and child abuse cases in South Carolina.
Abstract
As a result of law enforcement frustration stemming from the ubiquitous preparation of cases within the juvenile justice system, this guide was prepared to help law enforcement officers navigate the South Carolina juvenile justice system. The relevant parts of Title 20 are addressed, as is applicable case law. The guide begins with definitions of “child,” “court,” and “jurisdiction.” Intake procedures are reviewed and include explanations of when a child may be taken into custody, guidelines of notification of parents or guardians, procedural concerns, fingerprinting, transportation of children, petitioning a child into Family Court, and issues involved with interviewing children. Detention guidelines are presented next, with explanations of age guidelines and how long juveniles may be detained. Status offenses and offenses involving minors are the subject of the next two sections, while interaction with schools and the transfer of juveniles are explored in the following two sections. Issues of disposition and records are outlined. The remainder of the guide presents case law and directs law enforcement officers to both Federal and State cases. Summary opinions in these cases are included.