How long can a juvenile be detained in secure detention?
Juvenile delinquents less than seventeen (17) years of age can be confined in a juvenile detention facility for up to ninety (90) days. Juvenile delinquents at least seventeen (17) years of age can be confined in a juvenile detention facility for up to one hundred twenty (120) days. Juveniles can commit delinquent acts that would not be crimes if committed by an adult including runaway, curfew violation, truancy, and habitual disobedience of parents. These juvenile delinquents are called “status offenders” and cannot be held in a juvenile detention facility more than twenty-four (24) hours prior to a hearing. Under certain circumstances, the law does provide for the secure detention of certain status offenses (i.e. Runaway and Truancy).
