2020 Connecticut General Statutes
Title 46b - Family Law
Chapter 815t - Juvenile Matters
Section 46b-133j - Suspension of delinquency proceeding for participation in services to address condition or behavior related to an offense involving a motor vehicle.
(a) For purposes of this section: (1) “Delinquency offense involving a motor vehicle” means any offense under (A) subdivision (1) of subsection (a) of section 53a-119b, (B) section 53a-126a, (C) section 53a-126b, when the property consists of a motor vehicle, (D) subdivision (3) of subsection (a) of section 53a-122, (E) subdivision (1) of subsection (a) of section 53a-123, or (F) subdivision (1) of subsection (a) of section 53a-124; and (2) “child” means child, as defined in section 46b-120.
(b) The court, on motion of a child charged with a delinquency offense involving a motor vehicle for which such child is not yet adjudicated as delinquent, may order the suspension of the delinquency proceedings for a period of up to six months and order the child to participate in services to address any condition or behavior directly related to such offense during the period of suspension if the court, after consideration of the information before it, finds (1) the child is likely to benefit from supervision and participation in the recommended services, and (2) the suspension of the delinquency proceedings will advance the interests of justice. Such motion shall be filed with the court not later than ten days after a plea is entered, except if waived by the court or pursuant to an agreement by the parties.
(c) As a condition of eligibility for suspension of prosecution, the child shall agree to: (1) Cooperate with an assessment to determine whether such child would benefit from supervision and services; (2) participate in and satisfactorily complete the recommended services; and (3) comply with any orders of the court. During the period of suspension of the delinquency proceedings, a child shall be placed under the supervision of a juvenile probation officer and such officer shall monitor the compliance of such child with the orders of the court. Any assessment conducted pursuant to this section shall be used only for the purposes of determining the appropriate services and whether the delinquency proceedings should be suspended under this section. Any out-of-pocket costs of such treatment or other services shall be paid by the child's parent or guardian unless such costs are waived by the court upon a finding that such parent or guardian is indigent.
(d) If the court denies the motion for suspension of the delinquency proceedings, the prosecutorial official may proceed with the delinquency proceedings. Any order of the court granting or denying a motion for suspension of the delinquency proceedings shall not be deemed a final order for purposes of appeal.
(e) At any time before the end of the period of the suspension of the delinquency proceedings, but not later than one month before the end of the period of suspension, a juvenile probation officer shall notify the court of the impending conclusion of the suspension and submit a report on whether the child has completed the treatment or other services and has complied with all other conditions of the suspension order imposed by the court and, if not, whether the suspension period should be extended to allow additional time for the child to complete the recommended services.
(f) If the court, on motion of the child or on its own motion, finds that the child has completed the treatment or other services and has complied with all other conditions of suspension of the delinquency proceedings, the court may dismiss the charge for which the delinquency proceedings had been suspended. If the court finds that the child has not completed the treatment or other services, has not complied with all other conditions of suspension and additional time is needed to complete the treatment or other services, the court may extend the suspension period for up to an additional six months. If the court denies the motion and terminates the suspension of the delinquency proceedings, the prosecutorial official may proceed with such proceedings.
(g) The provisions of this section shall not apply to any child charged with a serious juvenile offense, as defined in section 46b-120, or any child who was previously granted suspension of prosecution pursuant to subsection (b) of this section.
(h) The Judicial Branch shall (1) collect and annually examine data relating to the suspension of delinquency proceedings pursuant to this section, (2) disaggregate such data by demographics of the children for whom such delinquency proceedings were suspended, offense characteristics, and treatment and service outcomes, and (3) report such data upon request.
(P.A. 19-110, S. 1.)
