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SB 440 - This act provides that a juvenile, under the age of 18, who has been certified to stand trial as an adult, if currently placed in a secure juvenile detention, shall remain in juvenile detention, pending finalization of the judgment and completion of appeal, if any, of the judgment dismissing the juvenile petition to allow for prosecution under the general law, unless otherwise ordered by the juvenile court. Upon any final judgment on appeal of the petition to dismiss prosecution of the juvenile under the general laws, and adult charges being filed, if the juvenile is currently in juvenile detention, the juvenile shall remain in detention unless the juvenile posts bond or the juvenile is transferred to an adult jail. Additionally, this act provides that if the juvenile officer does not believe detention in a secure juvenile detention facility would be an appropriate placement or would continue to serve as an appropriate placement, the juvenile officer may file a motion in the adult criminal case, requesting that the juvenile be transferred from juvenile detention to jail. The court shall hear evidence relating to the appropriateness of the juvenile remaining in juvenile detention or being transferred to an adult jail. At the hearing, the juvenile, the juvenile's parents and counsel, the prosecuting attorney, and others as provided in the act, shall have the opportunity to present evidence and recommendations. Following the hearing, the court shall order that the juvenile continue to be held in a secure juvenile detention facility or shall order that the pre-trial certified juvenile be held in an adult jail, but only after the court has made findings that it would be in the best interest of justice to move the pre-trial certified juvenile to an adult jail. The court shall weigh certain factors, as provided in the act, when deciding whether to detain a certified juvenile in an adult jail. In the event the court finds that it is in the best interest of justice to require the certified juvenile to be held in an adult jail, the court shall hold a hearing once every 30 days to determine whether the placement of the certified juvenile in an adult jail is still in the best interest of justice. This act provides that a juvenile cannot be held in an adult jail for more than 180 days unless the court finds, for good cause, that an extension is necessary or the juvenile waives the 180-day maximum period. Effective December 21, 2021, all previously certified, pre-trial juveniles, under the age of 18, who had been certified prior to August 28, 2021 shall be transferred from adult jail to a secure juvenile detention facility, unless a hearing is held and the court finds that it would be in the best interest of justice to keep the juvenile in the adult jail. All certified juveniles who are held in adult jails shall continue to be subject to the protections of the Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA) and shall be physically separated from adult inmates. If the certified juvenile remains in juvenile detention, the juvenile officer may file a motion to reconsider placement and a hearing shall be held as provided in the act. The court may amend its earlier order in light of the evidence and arguments presented at the hearing if the court finds that it would not be in the best interest of justice for the juvenile to remain in a juvenile detention facility. The issue of setting or posting bond shall be held in the pre-trial certified juvenile's adult criminal case. Finally, this act provides that upon attaining the age of 18 or upon conviction on the adult charges, the juvenile shall be transferred from juvenile detention to the appropriate adult facility. Any responsibility for transportation of the certified juvenile who remains in a secure juvenile detention facility shall be handled in the same manner as in all other adult criminal cases where the defendant is in custody. MARY GRACE BRUNTRAGER
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