Modifies provisions relating to juvenile justice, including court proceedings

Currently, a juvenile court shall not have exclusive jurisdiction of a proceeding involving a child fifteen years of age who is alleged to have violated a state or municipal traffic ordinance or regulation that does not constitute a felony. This act modifies the felony to be a dangerous felony.

Current law permits a court in the circuit in which a violation of a state or municipal ordinance is alleged to have been committed by a person prior to reaching 18 years of age to assume jurisdiction over the case. This act requires such court to assume jurisdiction over such cases.

Under this act, a prosecuting or circuit attorney may make a motion to transfer a matter before the juvenile court to a court of general jurisdiction in cases in which it is alleged that the juvenile officer failed to perform the proper risk and needs assessment.

The juvenile court shall examine the risk and needs assessment for every child in detention prior to either releasing the child or ordering the child to be detained until a detention hearing.

This act modifies the grounds under which a child may be held for detention to include situations in which the child is alleged to have repeatedly violated state or municipal laws during the immediate preceding sixty days that supports the good faith belief that the child will continue to violate state or municipal laws and will pose a risk to the safety and well-being of others if released.

This act adds prosecuting and circuit attorneys to the list of persons able to make a motion to have a child certified as an adult in certain cases.

Finally, this act modifies the risk and needs assessment performed by a juvenile officer for a child in the jurisdiction of the juvenile court as described in the act. TRISTAN BENSON, JR.