Traffic

Juvenile Jurisdiction

The Juvenile Court has jurisdiction over all traffic offenses committed by children under the age of 18 years, whether they have a driver's license or not. There are different categories of traffic-related offenses. The following traffic-related offenses are required by law to be charged as delinquent matters and will not be handled in traffic court:

• Homicide by vehicle or manslaughter resulting from the operation of a vehicle
• Any felony committed using a motor vehicle
• Racing
• Using a motor vehicle to flee or attempt to elude an officer
• Fraudulent or fictitious use of a license
• Hit and run
• Leaving the scene of an accident
• Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs
• Any other offense for which driving privileges may be revoked or suspended for an adult

If you are accused of one of the above offenses you will receive a summons to court along with a copy of the petition which contains the formal charges filed in your interest. You should report to court for arraignment on that day. Your case will be processed as any other delinquency case.

Right to an Attorney of a Child Charged with a Traffic Offense
If you are accused of a traffic offense that has not been filed as a delinquent act, you have the right to be represented by an attorney hired at your own expense. You do not have the right to an appointed attorney at public expense. Read more about required appearances before a judge.