Miss. R. Youth Ct. Prac. 16

As amended through October 31, 2024

Rule 16 - Detention Hearings / Shelter Hearings

(a) Delinquency and child in need of supervision proceedings. A child who has been ordered or taken into custody may be held in custody for longer than temporary custody if:

(1) A written report, complaint, or petition has been filed.

(2) Reasonable oral or written notice of the time, place and purpose of the hearing has been given to the child; to the child's parent, guardian or custodian; to the child's guardian ad litem, if any; and to the child's counsel. If the parent, guardian or custodian cannot be found, the youth court may hold the hearing in the absence of the child's parent, guardian or custodian.

(3) All parties present are afforded the opportunity to present evidence and cross-examine witnesses produced by others. The youth court may, in its discretion, limit the extent but not the right or presentation of evidence and cross-examination of witnesses. The youth court may receive any testimony and other evidence relevant to the necessity for the continued custody of the child without regard to the formal rules of evidence, including hearsay and opinion evidence. All testimony shall be made under oath and may be in narrative form.

(4) At the conclusion of the detention hearing, the court finds and the detention order recites that:

(i) there is probable cause the child is within the jurisdiction of the court; and

(ii) there is probable cause that custody is necessary.

Custody shall be deemed necessary:

(1) when a child is endangered or any person would be endangered by the child; or to insure the child's attendance in court at such time as required; or when a parent, guardian or custodian is not available to provide for the care and supervision of the child; and

(2) there is no reasonable alternative to custody. Unless there is substantial compliance with these procedures, the court shall order the child to be released to the custody of the child's parent, guardian, or custodian. Any order placing a child into custody shall comply with the requirements provided in section 43-21-301 of the Mississippi Code.

(5) The court orders custody of the child and that a petition be filed if one has not been filed.

The child with advice of counsel may waive in writing the time of the detention hearing or the detention hearing itself.

(b) Child protection proceedings. A child who has been ordered or taken into custody may be held in custody for longer than temporary custody if:

(1) A written report, complaint, or petition has been filed.

(2) Reasonable oral or written notice of the time, place and purpose of the hearing has been given to the child; to the child's parent, guardian or custodian; to the child's guardian ad litem, if any; and to the child's counsel. If the parent, guardian or custodian cannot be found, the youth court may hold the hearing in the absence of the child's parent, guardian or custodian.

(3) All parties present are afforded the opportunity to present evidence and cross-examine witnesses produced by others. The youth court may, in its discretion, limit the extent but not the right or presentation of evidence and cross-examination of witnesses. The youth court may receive any testimony and other evidence relevant to the necessity for the continued custody of the child without regard to the formal rules of evidence, including hearsay and opinion evidence. All testimony shall be made under oath and may be in narrative form.

(4) At the conclusion of the shelter hearing, the court finds and the shelter order recites that:

(i) there is probable cause the child is within the jurisdiction of the court;

(ii) there is probable cause that custody is necessary as described in Rule 16(a)(4)(ii) of these rules; and

(iii) the effect of the continuation of the child's residing within the child's own home would be contrary to the welfare of the child; the placement of the child in foster care is in the best interest of the child; and, unless the reasonable efforts requirement is bypassed under section 43-21-603(7)(c) of the Mississippi Code:

(1) reasonable efforts have been made to maintain the child within his own home, but that the circumstances warrant his removal and there is no reasonable alternative to custody; or

(2) the circumstances are of such an emergency nature that no reasonable efforts have been made to maintain the child within his own home, and there is no reasonable alternative to custody. The court shall order that reasonable efforts be made towards the reunification of the child with the child's family if it finds and the shelter order recites that the circumstances are of such an emergency nature that no reasonable efforts have been made to maintain the child within the child's own home, and there is no reasonable alternative to custody. Unless there is substantial compliance with these procedures, the court shall order the child to be released to the custody of the child's parent, guardian, or custodian. Any order placing a child into custody shall comply with the requirements provided in section 43-21-301 of the Mississippi Code.

(5) The court orders custody of the child and that a petition be filed if one has not been filed. The child's guardian ad litem, and parent, guardian or custodian, and child may waive in writing the time of the shelter hearing or the shelter hearing itself. The child's consent is not required if the child has not reached ten (10) years of age.

Comments & Procedures

Rule 16(a), -(b).

These provisions comport with the statutory procedures. See Miss. Code Ann. § 43-21-309(2008).

Rule 16(a)(4)(ii), -(b)(4)(ii).

Factors the court may consider in determining whether custody is necessary include: the child's family ties and relationships; the child's prior delinquency record; the violent nature of the alleged offense; the child's prior history of committing acts that resulted in bodily injury to others; the child's character and mental condition; the court's ability to supervise the child if placed with a parent or relative; the child's ties to the community; the risk of nonappearance; the danger to the child or public if the child is released; another petition is pending against the child; the home conditions of the child; and a violation of a valid court order. Accord Michigan Court Rule 3.935(C). The court must include its findings in the detention or shelter order.

Rule 16(b)(4)(iii).

For purposes of eligibility of foster care maintenance payments under Title IV-E of the Social Security Act, the "reasonable efforts" determination must be made no later than 60 days from the date the child is removed from the home. See 42 U.S.C. §§ 672(a)(2)(A), -671(a)(15) (2008); 45 C.F.R. § 1356.21(b)(1) (2008).

For purposes of eligibility of foster care maintenance payments under Title IV-E of the Social Security Act, the "contrary to the welfare" determination must be made in the first court ruling that sanctions (even temporarily) the removal of a child from the home. See 42 U.S.C. § 672(a)(2)(A) (2008); 45 C.F.R. § 1356.21(c) (2008).

Federal Requirements

These rules require compliance with federal laws and regulations which impact funding for cases within the jurisdiction of the youth court. See U.R.Y.C.P. 7. Failure to comply results in the loss of federal monies crucial in achieving the best interests of the child and the interest of justice. Federal laws and regulations applicable to detention/shelter hearings include:

Reasonable efforts determination.

45 C.F.R. § 1356.21 (2008) provides in part:

(b) Reasonable efforts determination. . . .

(1) Judicial determination of reasonable efforts to prevent a child's removal from the home.

(i) When a child is removed from his/her home, the judicial determination as to whether reasonable efforts were made, or were not required to prevent the removal, in accordance with paragraph (b)(3) of this section, must be made no later than 60 days from the date the child is removed from the home pursuant to paragraph (k)(1)(ii) of this section.

(ii) If the determination concerning reasonable efforts to prevent the removal is not made as specified in paragraph (b)(1)(i) of this section, the child is not eligible under the title IV-E foster care maintenance payments program for the duration of that stay in foster care.

Contrary to the welfare determination.

45 C.F.R. § 1356.21 (2008) provides in part:

(c) Contrary to the welfare determination. Under section 472(a)(1) of the Act, a child's removal from the home must have been the result of a judicial determination (unless the child was removed pursuant to a voluntary placement agreement) to the effect that continuation of residence in the home would be contrary to the welfare, or that placement would be in the best interest, of the child. The contrary to the welfare determination must be made in the first court ruling that sanctions (even temporarily) the removal of a child from home. If the determination regarding contrary to the welfare is not made in the first court ruling pertaining to removal from the home, the child is not eligible for title IV-E foster care maintenance payments for the duration of that stay in foster care.

Miss. R. Youth Ct. Prac. 16

The Uniform Rules of Youth Court Practice were revised by order entered 7/17/2012.