400-00087 – Citation to Juvenile (09/2020) Distribution: State’s Attorney, Officer, Child/Youth Page 2 of 2
NOTICE
You have just been issued a CITATION to appear in COURT. This court appearance is called a PRELIMINARY
HEARING. This notice tells you what to expect at the preliminary hearing and what you can do between
now and then to prepare for it.
A copy of petition & affidavit is available at the State’s Attorney’s office for all persons required to
receive notice, at least 5 business days prior to the preliminary hearing date. The PETITION has
information about the delinquent act as charged. The AFFIDAVIT is the police officer's or other person's
story of what you allegedly did.
The State's Attorney may refer this matter to the Diversion Program. Diversion is an alternative to court.
You will receive information about completing an assessment. The assessment will assist the State’s
Attorney’s Office with making a recommendation about how your case will proceed. The assessment is a
confidential interview that is free of charge. The assessment typically takes 30-40 minutes to complete. If
you are being considered for Youthful Offender status and you fail to participate within the time frame
specified, your opportunity to be considered as a Youthful Offender may be denied.
WHAT YOU NEED
TO
KNOW BEFORE YOU GET TO THE
COURTHOUSE:
• You may want to speak to a lawyer so that you will understand what to expect.
• If you cannot afford a private lawyer, you can apply for the services of the public defender. A juvenile
public defender application and information about the court process is available at the courthouse.
• Your parent, guardian or custodian must come to court with you if you are under the age of 18.
WHAT TO EXPECT WHEN YOU GET TO THE COURTHOUSE
Your parent, guardian or custodian must come to court with you, if you are under the age of 18.
• You are entitled to have a lawyer at the hearing.
• If you have your own lawyer, make sure that he or she goes to court with you. It is not enough to just tell
the judge ''I have a lawyer.'' The lawyer must either be in court with you, or the lawyer must send a letter
to the court saying that he or she represents you.
• If you do not have your own lawyer, a public defender will be in court and will speak with you before
the preliminary hearing.
• If your parent or guardian cannot afford a lawyer, the court will appoint one for you.
• At your hearing, the judge will explain your rights to you. The judge will ask you if you want to ADMIT
or DENY the charge.
• The judge may set certain restrictions on you (such as curfew) while the case is pending. (These are
called CONDITIONS OF RELEASE.)
NOTE: ALL HEARINGS ARE CONFIDENTIAL AND CLOSED TO THE PUBLIC. IT IS UNLAWFUL TO GIVE ANY
PUBLICITY TO THESE PROCEEDINGS.