Constitutional Rights in Juvenile Proceedings

A look at the constitutional due process rights of young people in juvenile court cases.

Minors in juvenile delinquency proceedings do not have the same constitutional rights as those given to adults in regular criminal court cases. In fact, prior to the 1960s juveniles had few due process rights at all. But as juvenile court proceedings have become more formal, states and courts have strengthened juveniles' constitutional rights.

Below is a summary of the due process rights that do and do not apply to juveniles in delinquency proceedings. Some of these rights derive from U.S. Supreme Court cases -- and therefore apply to all states -- while other rights vary by state.

Probable cause needed to search a minor. Police officers must have probable cause to search and arrest a minor who is suspected of violating a criminal statute. However, public officials in quasi-parental relationships with minors -- like school personnel -- do not need to have probable cause to temporarily detain and search minors.

Right to a phone call. Usually, a minor is allowed to make at least one phone call if they are in custody and not likely to be released quickly. The minor can call a parent or guardian, who in turn can contact an attorney. Or the minor can contact an attorney directly. By asking to speak with a parent or attorney, the minor invokes his or her Miranda rights. So, if police ignore the minor's request to consult a parent or attorney, anything the minor says to the police after that will likely be inadmissible in juvenile court.

No right to bail. Juveniles do not have a constitutional right to seek bail. But many juveniles are released to their parents or guardians prior to arraignment in juvenile court.

The right to counsel. In 1967, the U.S. Supreme Court (in a case called In re Gault) ruled that minors have the right to an attorney in juvenile proceedings. If a minor cannot afford an attorney, he or she has the right to be represented by a state-appointed attorney.

The right to notice of the charges. In re Gault also requires that a juvenile be provided with notice of the delinquency charges he or she faces.

The right to confront and cross-examine witnesses. Even though a juvenile adjudication hearing is not a formal criminal trial, a minor has the right to confront and cross-examine witnesses -- meaning the minor gets a chance to question (through an attorney) the people called to testify by the state, and to challenge their testimony.

The privilege against self-incrimination. Minors in juvenile court proceedings have a right to assert their Fifth Amendment privilege against self-incrimination. This means that a minor cannot be forced to testify against him or herself.

No (or limited) right to a jury trial. Most states do not allow jury trials in juvenile delinquency cases. The few states that do allow jury trials often limit them to only certain types of juvenile cases.

The right to have charges proved beyond a reasonable doubt. The U. S. Supreme Court has ruled that if a juvenile faces incarceration or adjudication as "delinquent" as a result of juvenile court proceedings, then the state must prove the charges against the juvenile "beyond a reasonable doubt." If those penalties are not at issue, the state need only prove the charges by a "preponderance of evidence" standard.

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