After taking a juvenile into custody, what must you do regarding the parent?

• A. Notify the parent that the juvenile is going to be charged.
• B. Summon the parent to the police station.
• C. Ask the juvenile to contact the parent.
• D. Postpone notification until the court date.

Answer: (A)

When a juvenile is taken into custody, you must promptly inform the parent or guardian about what’s happened and what to expect next. Notifying the parent that the juvenile is going to be charged aligns with ensuring parental involvement and protecting the juvenile’s due process rights. This early notice helps the family arrange counsel and participate in the next steps, rather than waiting until a court date or relying on the juvenile to relay the information. It’s not required to summon the parent to the station, and delaying notification or making the juvenile contact the parent does not serve the timely due process that statutes intend.