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Legal Rights for Native American Teenagers and Families

NCJ Number
79470
Date Published
Unknown
Length
15 pages
Annotation
This handbook discusses in a question and answer format pertinent legal and family issues of concern to Native American adolescents living in California.
Abstract
The guide examines ways a person can get involved in the juvenile court system in California, such as having no home or place to stay, being abused or neglected at home, and refusing to attend school. Truancy and behavior problems in school are discussed, as well as alternatives to running away from home. The guide explains what happens to a person who is arrested as a juvenile. Adolescents are reminded that if they are ever put in jail they are entitled to make two completed phone calls and must be advised of their rights. The juvenile court process in California begins with a juvenile court report written by a probation officer, followed by a detention hearing and the juvenile court hearing. Conditions of probation are examined, along with other options the court has, such as commitment to a county facility or to the California Youth Authority. Useful information, including telephone numbers of the police and the juvenile probation system and Indian resource centers, is listed.