Proposal would lengthen some juvenile facility commitments and detention limits

A judge could commit a juvenile to a correctional or youth residential facility for 12 to 36 months after a firearm finding. This applies to a juvenile found to have possessed or used a firearm during an offense that would be a felony if committed by an adult. The judge may order this commitment if the fact finder finds that a firearm was possessed or used during an offense that would be a felony if committed by an adult. The term would apply regardless of the juvenile’s assessed risk level. The proposed commitment term would be at least 12 months and no more than 36 months.

A judge could order short detention for certain probation violations, including technical violations, when the juvenile shows escalating dangerous behavior. This applies to juveniles placed on probation. The judge must find escalating physical violence, aggression, use of weapons, property damage, or use of life-threatening substances. The proposed limits are up to 24 hours for a first violation, 48 hours for a second, and 15 days for a third or later violation.

The proposal would raise the general cumulative detention limit from 45 to 90 days during a juvenile’s case. This covers detention during a juvenile offender’s case. The proposed 90-day limit would not apply to juveniles adjudicated for an off-grid felony or a nondrug severity level 1 through 4 person felony. The 90-day total would apply over the course of the case.