What Types of Hearings Are Held?
In a juvenile delinquency case, the trial is called a “fact-finding hearing”. A fact-finding hearing is the same as a criminal trial, but without a jury. The judge decides whether the child committed the acts described in the petition. If the court decides that the child must be held in detention (“remanded”) while waiting for the fact-finding hearing, a “probable cause” hearing may be held to determine whether there is good cause to hold the child in detention. There is no bail set in juvenile delinquency cases in Family Court. Other hearings which may be scheduled concern the evidence which the presentment agency may wish to use in the fact-finding hearing. The presentment agency must give certain police reports and other documents to the respondent’s lawyer so that the respondent can prepare his or her defense.
