Generally revise youth court laws

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AN ACT REVISING THE YOUTH COURT ACT; ENUMERATING ADDITIONAL OFFENSES BY A YOUTH
THAT MAY BE FILED IN DISTRICT COURT; ALLOWING A YOUTH TO WAIVE THE RIGHT TO A
TRANSFER HEARING; PROVIDING REMEDIES WHEN A YOUTH FAILS THE TERMS OF A CONSENT
ADJUSTMENT; REVISING LAWS RELATED TO CONSENT DECREES; PROVIDING A DEFINITION; AND
AMENDING SECTIONS 41-5-206, 41-5-208, 41-5-1302, 41-5-1501, AND 41-5-1605, MCA.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MONTANA:
Section 1. Section 41-5-206, MCA, is amended to read:
"41-5-206. Filing in district court prior to formal proceedings in youth court. (1) The county
attorney may, in the county attorney's discretion and in accordance with the procedure provided in 46-11-201,
file with the district court a motion for leave to file an information in the district court if:
(a) the youth charged was 12 years of age or older at the time of the conduct alleged to be
unlawful and the unlawful act would if it had been committed by an adult constitute:
(i) aggravated sexual intercourse without consent as defined in 45-5-508;
(i)(ii) sexual intercourse without consent as defined in 45-5-503;
(ii)(iii) deliberate homicide as defined in 45-5-102;
(iii)(iv) mitigated deliberate homicide as defined in 45-5-103;
(iv)(v) assault on a peace officer or judicial officer as defined in 45-5-210(1)(b)(i), (1)(c), or (1)(d); or
(v)(vi) the attempt, as defined in 45-4-103, of or accountability, as provided in 45-2-301, for either
deliberate or mitigated deliberate homicide any of the acts enumerated in subsection (1)(a)(i) through (1)(a)(v);
or
(b) the youth charged was 16 years of age or older at the time of the conduct alleged to be
unlawful and the unlawful act is one or more of the following:
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(i) negligent homicide as defined in 45-5-104;
(ii) negligent vehicular homicide while under the influence as defined in 45-5-106;
(iii) assault on a peace officer or judicial officer as defined in 45-5-210(1)(a) or (1)(b)(ii);
(ii)(iv) arson as defined in 45-6-103;
(iii)(v) aggravated assault as defined in 45-5-202;
(iv)(vi) sexual assault as provided in 45-5-502(3);
(v)(vii) assault with a weapon as defined in 45-5-213;
(viii) strangulation of a partner or family member as defined in 45-5-215;
(vi)(ix) robbery as defined in 45-5-401;
(vii)(x) burglary or aggravated burglary as defined in 45-6-204;
(xi) kidnapping as defined in 45-5-302;
(viii)(xii) aggravated kidnapping as defined in 45-5-303;
(ix)(xiii) possession of explosives as defined in 45-8-335;
(x)(xiv) criminal distribution of dangerous drugs as defined in 45-9-101;
(xi) criminal possession of dangerous drugs as defined in 45-9-102(3);
(xii)(xv) criminal possession with intent to distribute as defined in 45-9-103(1);
(xiii)(xvi) criminal production or manufacture of dangerous drugs as defined in 45-9-110;
(xiv)(xvii) use of threat to coerce criminal street gang membership or use of violence to coerce
criminal street gang membership as defined in 45-8-403;
(xv)(xviii) escape as defined in 45-7-306;
(xix) aggravated sex trafficking as defined in 45-5-706;
(xx) child sex trafficking as defined in 45-5-711;
(xxi) ritual abuse of a minor as defined in 45-5-627;
(xvi)(xxii) attempt, as defined in 45-4-103, of or accountability, as provided in 45-2-301, for any of
the acts enumerated in subsections (1)(b)(i) through (1)(b)(xv) (1)(b)(xxi).
(2) The county attorney shall file with the district court a petition for leave to file an information in
district court if the youth was 17 years of age at the time the youth committed an offense listed under
subsection (1).
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(3) The district court shall grant leave to file the information if it appears from the affidavit or other
evidence supplied by the county attorney that there is probable cause to believe that the youth has committed
the alleged offense. Within 30 days after leave to file the information is granted, the district court shall conduct a
hearing to determine whether the matter must be transferred back to the youth court, unless the hearing is
waived by the youth or by the youth's counsel in writing or on the record. The hearing may be continued on
request of either party for good cause. The district court may not transfer the case back to the youth court
unless the district court finds, by a preponderance of the evidence, that:
(a) a youth court proceeding and disposition will serve the interests of community protection;
(b) the nature of the offense does not warrant prosecution in district court; and
(c) it would be in the best interests of the youth if the matter was prosecuted in youth court.
(4) The filing of an information in district court terminates the jurisdiction of the youth court over the
youth with respect to the acts alleged in the information. A youth may not be prosecuted in the district court for
a criminal offense originally subject to the jurisdiction of the youth court unless the case has been filed in the
district court as provided in this section. A case may be transferred to district court after prosecution as
provided in 41-5-208 or 41-5-1605.
(5) An offense not enumerated in subsection (1) that arises during the commission of a crime
enumerated in subsection (1) may be:
(a) tried in youth court;
(b) transferred to district court with an offense enumerated in subsection (1) upon motion of the
county attorney and order of the district court. The district court shall hold a hearing before deciding the motion.
(5) At any time prior to trial, the county attorney may transfer the case to youth court for good
cause.
(6) (a) If, during the commission of a criminal offense enumerated in subsection (1), a youth
commits additional criminal offenses that are not enumerated in subsection (1), the county attorney may file
those nonenumerated offenses with the same district court.
(b) If a youth is found guilty in district court of a criminal offense enumerated in subsection (1) and
any offense that arose during the commission of a crime enumerated in subsection (1), the court shall sentence
the youth pursuant to 41-5-2503 and Titles 45 and 46.
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(c) If a youth is acquitted in district court of all criminal offenses enumerated in subsection (1), the
district court shall sentence the youth in district court pursuant to Title 41 for any remaining offenses for which
the youth is found guilty.
(6)(7) If a youth is found guilty in district court of an offense enumerated in subsection (1) and any
offense that arose during the commission of a crime enumerated in subsection (1), the court shall sentence the
youth pursuant to 41-5-2503 and Titles 45 and 46. If a youth is acquitted in district court of all offenses
enumerated in subsection (1), the district court shall sentence the youth pursuant to Title 41 for any remaining
offense for which the youth is found guilty.A youth who is sentenced to the department or a state prison must
be evaluated and placed by the department in an appropriate correctional facility. The department shall confine
the youth in an institution that it considers proper, including a correctional facility under the procedures of 52-5-
111. However, a youth under 16 years of age may not be confined in a state prison facility. During the period of
confinement, school-aged youth with disabilities must be provided an education consistent with the
requirements of the federal Individuals With Disabilities Education Act, 20 U.S.C. 1400, et seq.
(7)(8) If a youth's case is filed in the district court and remains in the district court after the transfer
hearing, the youth may be detained in a jail or other adult detention facility pending final disposition of the
youth's case if the youth is kept in an area that provides physical separation from adults accused or convicted
of criminal offenses. :
(a) the youth is kept in an area that provides sight and sound separation from adults accused or
convicted of criminal offenses; and
(b) the court finds, after a hearing and in writing, that it is in the interest of justice to hold the youth
in an adult jail or adult detention facility based on:
(i) the youth's:
(A) age;
(B) physical and mental maturity; and
(C) present mental state, including whether the youth presents an imminent risk of harm to the
youth's self or others;
(ii) the nature and circumstances of the alleged offense;
(iii) the youth's history of prior delinquent acts;
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(iv) the relative ability of the available adult and juvenile detention facilities to meet the specific
needs of the youth and protect the safety of the public as well as other detained youth; and
(v) any other relevant factor.
(9) If the court finds, based on the criteria in subsection (8)(b), that it is in the interest of justice to
detain a youth under the jurisdiction of district court in an adult jail or adult detention facility pending the final
disposition of the youth's case, the court must:
(a) hold a hearing at least once every 30 days to review whether it is still in the interest of justice to
require the youth to continue to be held in an area of a secure adult facility that provides sight and sound
separation from adults accused or convicted of criminal offenses;
(b) hold an additional hearing before the youth has been detained for 180 days to determine, in
writing, if there is good cause for an extension unless the youth expressly waives this limitation."
Section 2. Section 41-5-208, MCA, is amended to read:
"41-5-208. Transfer of supervisory responsibility to district court after juvenile disposition --
nonextended jurisdiction and nontransferred cases. (1) (a) After adjudication by the court of a case that
was not transferred sentenced to district court under pursuant to 41-5-206 and that was not prosecuted as an
extended jurisdiction juvenile prosecution under part 16 of this chapter, the court may, on the youth's motion or
the motion of the county attorney, transfer jurisdiction to the district court and order the transfer of supervisory
responsibility from juvenile probation services to adult probation services. A transfer based on a motion may be
made at any time after a youth reaches 18 years of age but before the youth reaches 21 years of age.
(b) A transfer under this section may be made to ensure continued compliance with the court's
disposition under 41-5-1512 or 41-5-1513 and may be made at any time after a youth reaches 18 years of age
but before the youth reaches 21 years of age or through stipulation to provide the youth with additional
supervision, care, rehabilitation, detention, competency development, and community protection.
(2) Before transfer, the court shall hold a hearing on whether the transfer should be made. The
hearing must be held in conformity with the rules on a hearing on a petition alleging delinquency, except that
the hearing must be conducted by the court without a jury. The court shall give the youth, the youth's counsel,
and the youth's parents, guardian, or custodian notice in writing of the time, place, and purpose of the hearing
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at least 10 days before the hearing. At the hearing, the youth is entitled to receive:
(a) written notice of the motion to transfer;
(b) an opportunity to be heard in person and to present witnesses and evidence;
(c) a written statement by the court of the evidence relied on and reasons for the transfer;
(d) the right to cross-examine witnesses, unless the court finds good cause for not allowing
confrontation; and
(e) the right to counsel.
(3) After the hearing, if the court finds by a preponderance of the evidence that transfer of
continuing supervisory responsibility to the district court is appropriate, the court shall order the transfer.
(4) If a youth whose case has been transferred to district court under this section violates a
disposition previously imposed under 41-5-1512 or 41-5-1513, the district court may, after hearing, impose
conditions as provided under 46-18-201 through 46-18-203 but may not place a youth in a state adult
correctional facility unless the youth was adjudicated for a felony offense.
(5) (a) The hearings under subsections (2) and (4) may be waived by the youth through a
stipulation in writing prior to or after an adjudication by the court of a case that was not:
(i) sentenced in district court pursuant to 41-5-206; or
(ii) prosecuted as an extended jurisdiction juvenile prosecution under part 16 of this chapter.
(b) Jurisdiction must automatically transfer to the district court, and supervisory responsibility must
automatically transfer to adult probation services on the youth turning 18 years of age. The district court may
impose conditions as provided under 46-18-201 through 46-18-203, but the youth may not be incarcerated in a
state adult correctional facility unless stipulated by the parties.
(c) The stipulation provided for in subsection (5)(a) must:
(i) advise the youth of their rights to a hearing pursuant to subsections (2) and (4);
(ii) advise the youth that the youth is knowingly and voluntarily waiving the right to hearings;
(iii) advise the youth of the youth's right to counsel; and
(iv) specify the age the youth is to be supervised by adult probation services, up to 25 years of age.
(5)(6) If, at the time of transfer, the youth is incarcerated in a correctional facility, the district court may
order that the youth, after reaching 18 years of age:
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(a) be incarcerated in a state adult correctional facility if the youth was adjudicated for a felony
offense, boot camp, or prerelease center; or
(b) be supervised by the department.
(6)(7) The district court's jurisdiction over a case transferred under this section terminates when the
youth reaches 25 years of age."
Section 3. Section 41-5-1302, MCA, is amended to read:
"41-5-1302. Consent adjustment without petition. (1) Before referring the matter to the county
attorney and subject to the limitations in subsection (3), the juvenile probation officer or assessment officer may
enter into a consent adjustment and give counsel and advice to the youth, the youth's family, and other
interested parties if it appears that:
(a) the admitted facts bring the case within the jurisdiction of the youth court;
(b) the youth and the youth's family have been advised of the youth's right to counsel;
(b)(c) counsel and advice without filing a petition would be in the best interests of the child, the family,
and the public; and
(c)(d) the youth may be a youth in need of intervention and the juvenile probation officer or
assessment officer believes that the parents, foster parents, physical custodian, or guardian exerted all
reasonable efforts to mediate, resolve, or control the youth's behavior and the youth continues to exhibit
behavior beyond the control of the parents, foster parents, physical custodian, or guardian.
(2) Any probation or other disposition imposed under this section against a youth must conform to
the following procedures:
(a) Every Each consent adjustment must be reduced to writing and signed by the youth, the
youth's legal counsel if applicable, and the youth's parents or the person having legal custody of the youth.
(b) If the juvenile probation officer or assessment officer believes that the youth is a youth in need
of intervention, the juvenile probation officer or assessment officer shall determine that the parents, foster
parents, physical custodian, or guardian exerted all reasonable efforts to mediate, resolve, or control the youth's
behavior and that the youth continues to exhibit behavior beyond the control of the parents, foster parents,
physical custodian, or guardian.
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(c) Approval by the youth court judge is required if the complaint alleges commission of a felony or
if the youth has been or will be in any way detained.
(3) A consent adjustment without petition under this section may not be used to dispose of a
youth's alleged second or subsequent offense if:
(a) the youth has admitted commission of or has been adjudicated or sentenced for a prior offense
that would be a felony if committed by an adult;
(b) the second or subsequent offense would be a felony if committed by an adult and was
committed within 3 years of a prior offense; or
(c) the second or subsequent offense would be a misdemeanor if committed by an adult and was
committed within 3 years of a prior offense, other than a felony, unless the juvenile probation officer notifies the
youth court and obtains written approval from the county attorney and the youth court judge.
(4) For purposes of subsection (3), related offenses committed by a youth during the same 24-hour
period must be considered a single offense.
(5) (a) If the youth fails to fulfill the expressed terms and conditions of a consent adjustment, either
prior to discharge by probation services or expiration of the consent adjustment, the county attorney may file a
petition to:
(i) charge the youth to be a delinquent youth pursuant to Title 41, chapter 5; or
(ii) revoke the consent adjustment with the youth court.
(b) If a petition to revoke the consent adjustment is filed pursuant to subsection (5)(a)(ii) and the
youth court finds that the youth violated the consent adjustment, the youth court may adjudicate the youth
pursuant to 41-5-1512. A revocation of a consent adjustment must follow the procedures as set forth in 41-5-
1431."
Section 4. Section 41-5-1501, MCA, is amended to read:
"41-5-1501. Consent decree with petition. (1) (a) Subject to the provisions of subsection (2), after
the filing of a petition under 41-5-1402 and before the entry of a judgment, the court may, on motion of counsel
for the youth or on the court's own motion, suspend the proceedings and continue the youth under supervision
under terms and conditions negotiated with probation services and agreed to by all necessary parties. The
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court's order continuing the youth under supervision under this section is known as a "consent decree" the
county attorney, the youth's legal counsel, probation services, and the necessary parties may enter into a
consent decree. Except as provided in subsection (1)(b), the procedures used and dispositions permitted under
this section must conform to the procedures and dispositions specified in 41-5-1302 through 41-5-1304 relating
to consent adjustments without petition.
(b) A youth may be placed in detention for up to 10 days on a space-available basis at the county's
expense, which is not reimbursable under part 19 of this chapter.
(2) A consent decree under this section may not be used accepted by the youth court unless:
(a) the youth admits guilt enters an admission of guilt for a charge of an offense set forth in the
petition and accepts responsibility for the youth's actions ;
(b) the youth waives the youth's right to a jury trial;
(c) the youth court questions the youth to ensure that the youth knowingly and voluntarily enters
the admission and waives the right to a jury trial; and
(d) if the youth is not represented by legal counsel, the youth court questions the youth to ensure
that the youth knowingly and voluntarily waives the right to counsel.
(3) If the youth or the youth's counsel objects to a consent decree, the court shall proceed to
findings, adjudication, and disposition of the case.
(4) (a) If, either prior to discharge by probation services or expiration of the consent decree, a new
petition alleging that the youth is a delinquent youth or a youth in need of intervention is filed against the youth
or if the youth fails to fulfill the expressed terms and conditions of the consent decree, the petition under which
the youth was continued under supervision may be reinstated in the discretion of the county attorney in
consultation with probation services. In the event of reinstatement, the proceeding on the petition must be
continued to conclusion as if the consent decree had never been entered a petition to revoke the consent
decree may be filed with the youth court at the discretion of the county attorney but in consultation with
probation services.
(b) Probation services is given discretion to extend a consent decree prior to a petition to revoke a
consent decree being filed. In the event of revocation and on a finding by the youth court that the youth violated
a consent decree, the youth court shall proceed to adjudication and disposition of the case pursuant to 41-5-
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1513. A revocation of a consent decree must follow the procedures as set forth in 41-5-1431.
(5) A youth who is discharged by probation services or who completes a period under supervision
without reinstatement of the original petition a petition to revoke the consent decree being filed may not again
be proceeded against adjudicated again in any court for the same offense alleged in the petition, and the
original petition must be dismissed with prejudice. This subsection does not preclude a civil suit against the
youth for damages arising from the youth's conduct.
(6) If the terms of the consent decree extend for a period in excess of 6 months, the juvenile
probation officer shall at the end of each 6-month period submit a report that must be reviewed by the court.
(7) A consent decree with petition under this section may not be used to dispose of a youth's
alleged second or subsequent offense if that offense would be a felony if committed by an adult or third or
subsequent offense if that offense would be a misdemeanor if committed by an adult unless it is recommended
by the county attorney and accepted by the youth court judge.
(8) For the purposes of this section, "consent decree" means an agreement to defer adjudication of
the youth as delinquent youth and places the youth on supervision with probation services for a certain amount
of time."
Section 5. Section 41-5-1605, MCA, is amended to read:
"41-5-1605. Revocation of stay -- disposition. (1) If a court has imposed on a youth a sentence
stayed under 41-5-1604(1)(a)(ii) and the youth violates the conditions of the stay or is alleged to have
committed a new offense, the court may, without notice, direct that the youth be taken into immediate custody.
The court shall notify the youth, the youth's counsel, and the youth's parents, guardian, or custodian in writing
of the reasons alleged to exist for revocation of the stay of execution of the sentence.
(2) (a) The court shall hold a revocation hearing at which the youth is entitled to receive:
(i) written notice of the alleged violation;
(ii) evidence of the alleged violation;
(iii) an opportunity to be heard in person and to present witnesses and evidence;
(iv) the right to cross-examine witnesses, unless the court finds good cause for not allowing
confrontation; and
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(v) the right to counsel.
(b) After the revocation hearing, if the court finds by a preponderance of the evidence presented
that the conditions of the stay have been violated or that the youth has committed a new offense, the court shall
provide the youth with a written statement of the evidence relied on and reasons for revocation and shall:
(i) continue the stay and place the youth on probation;
(ii) impose one or more dispositions under 41-5-1512 or 41-5-1513 if the youth is under 18 years
of age; or
(iii) subject to 41-5-206(6) and (7) 41-5-206(7) and (8) and 41-5-1604(1)(b), order execution of the
sentence imposed under 41-5-1604(1)(a)(ii). The court shall order credit for any time served prior to revocation
under a disposition under 41-5-1604(1)(a)(i).
(3) Upon revocation and disposition under subsection (2)(b)(iii), the youth court shall transfer the
case to the district court. Upon transfer, the offender's extended jurisdiction juvenile status is terminated and
youth court jurisdiction is terminated. Ongoing supervision of the offender is with the department, rather than
the youth court's juvenile probation services."
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I hereby certify that the within bill,
HB 332, originated in the House.
___________________________________________
Chief Clerk of the House
___________________________________________
Speaker of the House
Signed this _______________________________day
of____________________________________, 2025.
___________________________________________
President of the Senate
Signed this _______________________________day
of____________________________________, 2025.
HOUSE BILL NO. 332
INTRODUCED BY B. MERCER
AN ACT REVISING THE YOUTH COURT ACT; ENUMERATING ADDITIONAL OFFENSES BY A YOUTH THAT
MAY BE FILED IN DISTRICT COURT; ALLOWING A YOUTH TO WAIVE THE RIGHT TO A TRANSFER
HEARING; PROVIDING REMEDIES WHEN A YOUTH FAILS THE TERMS OF A CONSENT ADJUSTMENT;
REVISING LAWS RELATED TO CONSENT DECREES; PROVIDING A DEFINITION; AND AMENDING
SECTIONS 41-5-206, 41-5-208, 41-5-1302, 41-5-1501, AND 41-5-1605, MCA.