2015 New Hampshire Revised Statutes
Title XII - PUBLIC SAFETY AND WELFARE
Chapter 169-D - CHILDREN IN NEED OF SERVICES
Section 169-D:10 - Release Prior to Initial Appearance.

    169-D:10 Release Prior to Initial Appearance. –
    I. An officer taking a child into custody pursuant to RSA 169-D:8 shall release the child to a parent, guardian or custodian pending initial appearance; however, if a parent, guardian or custodian is not available upon taking the child into custody, the court shall be notified, thereupon the child's release shall be determined by the court.
    II. Pending the initial appearance, the court shall release the child to one of the following, which in the court's opinion is the least restrictive and most appropriate:
       (a) A parent or guardian;
       (b) A relative or suitable adult;
       (c) Where there are reasonable grounds to believe that the child is a runaway under RSA 169-D:2, II(b) or that the child is a child in need of services under RSA 169-D:2, II(d), the custody of department of health and human services for placement in a foster home, as defined in RSA 169-C:3, XIII, a group home, a crisis home, or a shelter care facility with expenses chargeable as provided in RSA 169-D:29; or
       (d) [Repealed.]
       (e) An alcohol crisis center certified to accept juveniles.
    III. Where there are reasonable grounds to believe that the child is a runaway under RSA 169-D:2, II(b) or that the child is a child in need of services under RSA 169-D:2, II(d) and there is no shelter care/detention bed available, nor an appropriate parent, guardian, or custodian as defined in paragraph II of this section available, the court or the officer taking the child into temporary custody shall notify the department. If the child cannot be referred to an alternative to secure detention, the court shall make an order authorizing the department to place the child. The department shall then promptly arrange for placement of the child.

Source. 1979, 361:2. 1982, 39:15. 1988, 197:13. 1989, 285:8. 1995, 310:175. 2001, 117:6. 2007, 325:12, 15, III. 2013, 249:9, eff. Sept. 1, 2013.