Are parents under court jurisdiction?

In North Carolina, juvenile court handles crimes committed by children. When children commit crimes, their actions are delinquent acts. When a child acts inappropriately but does not commit a crime, then he or she is undisciplined. The courts can impose consequences on these minors. Generally, the courts design these consequences to rehabilitate the child in question. When you have a child in the court system, how much control do the courts have over your life? 

The North Carolina Judicial Branch describes juveniles as anyone under the age of 18, who is not married, in the military or emancipated. For delinquent children, courts have jurisdiction over kids who are less than 16 years old and older than six years old. Undisciplined juveniles, on the other hand, are under juvenile jurisdiction at less than 18 years old. In December of 2019, the law will change surrounding delinquency cases. The courts will have jurisdiction over 16 and 17 year olds, but not those who commit violent felonies. 

If you are the parent of a child who is in the court system, you are under the court’s jurisdiction too. The court may require you to transport a child to his or her hearings and to pay for any treatment for the juvenile. In addition, the court may order parents and guardians to take a parental responsibility class. Parents may also have to have a substance abuse or mental health evaluation. If you do not listen to the orders of the court, the court can hold you in contempt. 

The information provided is for education on parents with juveniles in the court system. It is not legal advice.