The Vermont Statutes Online
The Statutes below include the actions of the 2024 session of the General Assembly.
NOTE: The Vermont Statutes Online is an unofficial copy of the Vermont Statutes Annotated that is provided as a convenience.
Title 33 : Human Services
Chapter 052 : Delinquency Proceedings
Subchapter 001 : COMMENCEMENT OF PROCEEDINGS.
(Cite as: 33 V.S.A. § 5206)-
§ 5206. Citation of 16- to 19-year-olds [Section 5206 effective April 1, 2025; see also section 5206 effective until April 1, 2025 set out above.]
(a)(1) If a child was over 16 years of age and under 20 years of age at the time the offense was alleged to have been committed and the offense is not specified in subsection (b) of this section, law enforcement shall cite the child to the Family Division of the Superior Court.
(2) If, after the child is cited to the Family Division, the State’s Attorney chooses to file the charge in the Criminal Division of the Superior Court, the State’s Attorney shall state in the information the reason why filing in the Criminal Division is in the interest of justice.
(b) Offenses for which a law enforcement officer is not required to cite a child to the Family Division of the Superior Court shall include:
(1) 23 V.S.A. §§ 674 (driving while license suspended or revoked), 1128 (accidents — duty to stop), and 1133 (eluding a police officer);
(2) fish and wildlife offenses that are not minor violations as defined by 10 V.S.A. § 4572; and
(3) an offense listed in subsection 5204(a) of this title. (Added 2015, No. 153 (Adj. Sess.), § 17; amended 2019, No. 124 (Adj. Sess.), § 6; 2019, No. 124 (Adj. Sess.), § 7, eff. July 1, 2024; 2023, No. 125 (Adj. Sess.), § 11, eff. April 1, 2025.)
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§ 5221. Citation and notice to appear at preliminary hearing
(a) Citation. If an officer has probable cause to believe that a child has committed or is committing a delinquent act and the circumstances do not warrant taking the child into custody pursuant to subchapter 3 of this chapter, the officer may issue a citation to appear before a judicial officer in lieu of arrest.
(b) Appearance in court. A child who receives a citation described in this section shall appear at the court designated in the citation at the time and date specified in the citation unless otherwise notified by the court.
(c) Notice to parent. The officer who issues the citation shall also issue or cause to be issued a notice to the child’s custodial parent, guardian, or custodian. The notice shall indicate the date, time, and place of the preliminary hearing and shall direct the responsible adult to appear at the hearing with the child.
(d) Form. The citation to appear shall be dated and signed by the issuing officer and shall direct the child to appear before a judicial officer at a stated time and place. The citation shall state the name of the child to whom it is addressed, the delinquent act that the child is alleged to have committed, and a notice that the child is entitled to be represented by an attorney at the hearing and that an attorney will be appointed for the child if the parent or guardian is indigent and cannot afford an attorney.
(e) Filing of citation. The issuing officer shall sign the citation and file the citation and an affidavit as to probable cause with the State’s Attorney. (Added 2007, No. 185 (Adj. Sess.), § 2, eff. Jan. 1, 2009.)
