Connecticut General Statutes 46b-133b – Suspension of delinquency proceedings for treatment for alcohol or drug dependency
(a) The court, on motion of a child charged with a delinquency offense, but not yet convicted, may order that such child be examined to determine whether the child is alcohol-dependent or drug-dependent as defined in section 46b-120. Such motion shall be filed with the court within ten days after a plea is entered, except if waived by the court or pursuant to an agreement by the parties. The results of any examination ordered pursuant to this subsection shall be utilized only for the purposes of determining whether the delinquency proceeding should be suspended under this section.
Terms Used In Connecticut General Statutes 46b-133b
- Alcohol-dependent: means a psychoactive substance dependence on alcohol as that condition is defined in the most recent edition of the American Psychiatric Association's "Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders". See Connecticut General Statutes 46b-120
- Appeal: A request made after a trial, asking another court (usually the court of appeals) to decide whether the trial was conducted properly. To make such a request is "to appeal" or "to take an appeal." One who appeals is called the appellant.
- Child: means any person under eighteen years of age who has not been legally emancipated, except that for purposes of delinquency matters and proceedings, "child" means any person who (A) is at least ten years of age at the time of the alleged commission of a delinquent act and who is (i) under eighteen years of age and has not been legally emancipated, or (ii) eighteen years of age or older and committed a delinquent act prior to attaining eighteen years of age, or (B) subsequent to attaining eighteen years of age, (i) violates any order of the Superior Court or any condition of probation ordered by the Superior Court with respect to a delinquency proceeding, or (ii) wilfully fails to appear in response to a summons under section 46b-133 or at any other court hearing in a delinquency proceeding of which the child had notice. See Connecticut General Statutes 46b-120
- Drug-dependent: means a psychoactive substance dependence on drugs as that condition is defined in the most recent edition of the American Psychiatric Association's "Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders". See Connecticut General Statutes 46b-120
- month: means a calendar month, and the word "year" means a calendar year, unless otherwise expressed. See Connecticut General Statutes 1-1
- Plea: In a criminal case, the defendant's statement pleading "guilty" or "not guilty" in answer to the charges, a declaration made in open court.
- Probation: A sentencing alternative to imprisonment in which the court releases convicted defendants under supervision as long as certain conditions are observed.
- Serious juvenile offense: means (A) the violation of, including attempt or conspiracy to violate, section 21a-277, 21a-278, 29-33, 29-34, 29-35, subdivision (2) or (3) of subsection (a) of section 53-21, 53-80a, 53-202b, 53-202c, 53-390 to 53-392, inclusive, 53a-54a to 53a-57, inclusive, 53a-59 to 53a-60c, inclusive, 53a-64aa, 53a-64bb, 53a-70 to 53a-71, inclusive, 53a-72b, 53a-86, 53a-92 to 53a-94a, inclusive, 53a-95, 53a-100aa, 53a-101, 53a-102a, 53a-103a or 53a-111 to 53a-113, inclusive, subdivision (1) of subsection (a) of section 53a-122, subdivision (2) of subsection (a) of section 53a-123, section 53a-134, 53a-135, 53a-136a or 53a-167c, subsection (a) of section 53a-174, or section 53a-196a, 53a-211, 53a-212, 53a-216 or 53a-217b, or (B) absconding, escaping or running away, without just cause, from any secure residential facility in which the child has been placed by the court as a delinquent child. See Connecticut General Statutes 46b-120
(b) The court, upon motion of the child charged with a delinquency offense but not yet convicted, may order the suspension of the delinquency proceedings for a period of up to one year, order periodic alcohol and drug testing of such child during the period of suspension and order treatment for alcohol or drug dependency if the court, after consideration of information before it concerning the alcohol or drug dependency of the child, finds that (1) the child is alcohol-dependent or drug-dependent as defined in section 46b-120, (2) the child presently needs and is likely to benefit from treatment for the dependency, and (3) the suspension of the delinquency proceedings will advance the interests of justice. During the period of suspension, a child shall be placed under the supervision of a juvenile probation officer for treatment for alcohol or drug dependency and such officer shall monitor the compliance of the child with the orders of the court.
(c) 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.
(d) 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 program and has complied with all other conditions of the suspension order imposed by the court.
(e) If the court, on motion of the child or on its own motion, finds that the child has completed the treatment program and has complied with all other conditions of suspension, it may dismiss the charge for which the delinquency proceedings had been suspended. If the court denies the motion and terminates the suspension of the delinquency proceedings, the prosecutorial official may proceed with such proceedings.
(f) 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 ordered treated under this section.