If you have taken a juvenile into custody, you SHALL do what?

• A. Attempt to locate the parent and notify them that the juvenile is going to be charged.
• B. Detain the parent at the scene.
• C. Contact the court to file a delinquency petition immediately.
• D. Release the juvenile to the parent without notice.

Answer: (A)

When a juvenile is taken into custody, the officer’s duty is to locate the parent or guardian and notify them that the juvenile is in custody and that charges may be filed. This mandatory step ensures parental involvement in the juvenile justice process and helps plan the next steps for the juvenile’s welfare, reporting status, and possible disposition. It supports proper communication with the family, allows for timely decisions about release or further processing, and aligns with due process expectations for minors.

Detaining the parent at the scene isn’t required because the focus is on notifying and involving the parent, not on detaining them. Filing a delinquency petition immediately with the court isn’t a step that must happen right away at the moment of custody; intake and petition decisions follow established procedures and timing. Releasing the juvenile to the parent without notice would bypass a key statutory requirement to inform the parent, which is why that option is not appropriate.