When a teenager or juvenile is arrested in Weld County, they will usually be charged with a crime. The process for the criminal charge depends on the type of crime they have allegedly committed.
- When a juvenile is charged with a misdemeanor, they will be issued a summons which needs to be signed by both the juvenile and their parent / guardian. On the summons, the court date and location will be listed.
- When a juvenile is charged with a felony, Greeley police will take all reports to the District Attorney’s office. The DA will review the case and decide what charges the juvenile’s actions constitute. Then, the next thing that will occur is either:
- The juvenile and their parents / guardians will receive a letter with the court date which serves as a Summons to Appear. It will contain the juvenile’s charges.
- A juvenile judge will be given the Petition for Delinquency, the affidavit, and the request for an arrest warrant. If the judge deems that an arrest warrant is necessary, they will approve it and set the bond amount.
Arrest Warrant from Greeley Courts? What are Bond Conditions for a Juvenile Arrested?
A more serious crime will likely cause the prosecutor and judge to put out an arrest warrant for a juvenile. When, as the parent, you’re aware of the warrant, it can be easier to encourage your teen to turn themselves in, as opposed to the surprise of police showing up at your door. When you involve a criminal defense attorney early on into the case, such as when police first try to contact you, it can help your child’s case immensely.
The typical course for a case after an arrest, is to bring the juvenile before a judge or magistrate for the setting of a bond, and the conditions of bond. These bond conditions following arrest include no contact orders, no substance use or possession, obey household rules, obey a curfew, go to school and no further law violations.
Platte Valley Youth Services Center in Weld County | Juvenile Jail After an Arrest Warrant in Weld County
When an arrest warrant is out for your juvenile in Weld County, your child should either turn themselves in or the police will arrest them. Either way, your teenager will likely end up at the Platte Valley Youth Services Center.
The PVYSC is located at:
2200 O St.
Greeley, Colorado, 80631
Since the Weld County Jail is not suited for younger offenders, juveniles are taken to the PVYSC in Greeley. The staff here will screen children to learn about their background and determine if they are a risk to the community or not. If they are deemed a risk, they will be detained at the center. If they aren’t deemed a risk, they will be released back into the care of their parents or guardians while their case is ongoing. Depending on your child’s community risk, many judges require your child to appear before them before release.
Greeley Juvenile Detention Screening & Assessment Guide: Evaluating Your Child for Placement
When a child is arrested in Greeley, it is important that when the juvenile is detained, that they are screened and assessed for proper placement. The Juvenile Detention Screening and Assessment Guide is a tool that an intake specialist will use to determine the best placement for your child while their case is ongoing. The document utilizes a flow chart format that asks questions to help determine a juvenile’s risk factors. If the teen is accused of committing a crime of violence, or if there is a warrant for their arrest, the intake staff may require that the juvenile be held in the facility. On the flip side, it can also be determined that the most suitable placement of the child is either in the custody of their parents / guardians, or even in an out-of-home placement.
Placement Options for Juveniles in Longmont, Frederick, and Platteville
Placement options for Longmont, Frederick, and Platteville juveniles with a pending case are:
- Platte Valley Youth Services Center Facility / Staff-Secure Facility
- Your child will be sent to PVYSC where there isn’t a bond hold, or when it is determined that your child needs a secure detention placement. You can read more about PVYSC, their rules, and about visitation here.
- Being released to Parents, Guardians, or Legal Custodians
- Children will be returned to those legally responsible for them when the juvenile is considered a low risk offender to the community. Both the juvenile and their legal guardian will make a formal promise to appear in court. And the juvenile may also face additional restrictions and requirements when they are released to their caretakers.
- A Shelter / Non-Secure Facility
- A shelter is a temporary placement for juveniles who shouldn’t be relocated back to their home, and who don’t need physical restrictions placed on them.
Juvenile Detention Hearing Following Arrest in Windsor, Evans, and Fort Lupton
A detention hearing will be held within 48 hours from when the Windsor, Evans, and Fort Lupton juvenile is taken into custody if secure detention was decided on. The detention hearing will decide if the juvenile should be released or held in custody. The court will decide to do one of the following:
- Without a bond, release the juvenile to the custody of their legal caretaker;
- With a bond, release the juvenile to the custody of their legal caretaker;
- Release the juvenile from secure detention with supervision;
- Place the juvenile in a shelter, non-secure facility, or staff- secure facility; or
- Place the juvenile in a secure detention facility (Platte Valley Youth Correctional Facility) if they are a danger to themselves or to the community.
These placements can be re-evaluated as the case progresses and are not set in stone. However, you will want an experienced criminal defense attorney through every step of your child’s case, making sure your child is receiving fair treatment.
Is your Juvenile being accused of a crime in Greeley or Weld County?
If your child is facing crime accusations, contact the O’Malley Law Office as soon as you’re contacted by Greeley police.
By hiring an experienced juvenile defense lawyer early, you’re prepared for anything the judge or DA tries to throw at you and your child.
Call 970-616-6009 or fill out the Get Help Now form to schedule a free consultation with an experienced defense lawyer in the Greeley and Weld County area.
Together, we can protect your future.
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