Juveniles

Deferred entry of judgment can route eligible youth toward education, treatment, and rehabilitation instead of an immediate delinquency judgment. The law adds carrying a loaded firearm as a required factor in the court’s suitability decision.

What the law does ​

• Requires juvenile courts to consider whether the charged offense is carrying a loaded firearm when evaluating deferred-entry-of-judgment suitability.
• Keeps deferred entry of judgment available only to minors who meet existing eligibility requirements and whom the court finds would benefit from education, treatment, and rehabilitation.
• Allows a receiving court in a minor’s home county to decide deferred-entry-of-judgment suitability before disposition when an eligible case is transferred.

Who it affects ​

• Minors facing felony delinquency petitions who may qualify for deferred entry of judgment.
• Juvenile courts and prosecutors handling those cases.