Non-Juvenile Court Offenses

Specific Offenses

The Juvenile Court does not have jurisdiction over seven specific offenses if the child is accused of any of them is 13 to 17 years old at the time of the offense. Those offenses include:

  • Aggravated child molestation
  • Aggravated sexual battery
  • Aggravated sodomy
  • Armed robbery if committed with a firearm
  • Murder
  • Rape
  • Voluntary manslaughter

Court Proceedings

Each of the above offenses are within the original jurisdiction of the Superior Court. Delinquency cases begin by a person filing a complaint with the court alleging that the child has committed a delinquent act. The child may or may not be placed in the Youth Detention Center. The Juvenile Court intake officer will investigate the case and determine whether it is in the child's interest to file a formal petition.

The officer may decide to divert the case or dismiss it. If a petition is filed it will be given to the child and parent, and the case will be scheduled for an arraignment hearing at which the child and the child's parent or guardian will be advised of the child's rights by a judge. The child may then be asked whether the child admits or denies the petition (unless the child elects to remain silent). If the child denies the petition or if the child remains silent the case will be scheduled for a trial at a later date. If the child admits the petition, the court may dispose of the case at that time or may refer the child to the intake / disposition officer and schedule the matter for disposition at a later time.

All contested delinquency petitions are prosecuted by a member of the District Attorney's staff of Murray County.