The Vermont Statutes Online
The Statutes below include the actions of the 2025 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.
Subchapter
002
:
PETITION, MERITS, AND DISPOSITION
(Cite as: 33 V.S.A. § 5221)
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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.)