Bill > SB488

This bill amends the Arkansas Juvenile Code of 1989 to modify definitions and provisions related to juvenile delinquency. Specifically, the bill clarifies the definition of a "delinquent juvenile" as a person who was ten years of age or older when they committed an act that would be considered a crime if committed by an adult, including felonies, misdemeanors, and certain specific violations. The bill also expands the definition of a "juvenile" to include individuals who were under 18 at the time of a delinquent offense but have since reached the age of majority, and those who were adjudicated delinquent before turning 18. Additionally, the bill updates the language around court dispositions for delinquent juveniles, allowing courts to commit juveniles to the Division of Youth Services for delinquent acts committed while under 18, and requires that commitment orders explicitly state the juvenile is adjudicated delinquent and provide details about the underlying facts of the adjudication. These changes aim to provide more clarity and precision in how juvenile delinquency is defined and processed within the Arkansas legal system.

Justice

https://arkleg.state.ar.us/Bills/Detail?id=sb488&ddBienniumSession=2025%2F2025R