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Common Questions

• Who is my judge?
• What is a continued custody hearing?
• What is probable cause?
• What is a pre-trial hearing?
• How long will my case take?
• What is a continuance?
• What charges can send me to adult court?
• How much time am I facing?
• What is a “Vitter” charge?
• What is a subpoena?
• What is house arrest?

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Who is my judge?

At Orleans Parish Juvenile Court there are four delinquency judges. Each has court in what is called a “section” of court. Your subpoenas [I see this de] for court and your petition will have a series of numbers followed by three letters. The first two letters are DQ and the third is your section of court.

• Section B – Judge C. Hearn Taylor
• Section C – Chief Judge David Bell
• Section E – Judge Louis Douglas
• Section F – Judge Mark Doherty

So if your judge is Judge Doherty your petition would end with DQ-F.

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What is a continued custody hearing?

When the police arrest you they have to make a decision to release you to your parent/guardian or keep you in custody. If you are not released you must be brought in front of a judge for a hearing within three days. These three days do not include weekends or holidays. At your hearing the judge will decide if you should be released or remain in custody.

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What is probable cause?

Probable cause means there is enough evidence that the police officer was reasonable in suspecting a crime occurred or was occurring when he stopped and arrested you. This is more than just “a feeling” and much less than “beyond a reasonable doubt.” It is not difficult to prove there was probable cause but this does not mean you will definitely be found guilty.

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What is a pre-trial hearing?

A pre-trial hearing is when the defendant (you) answer the state’s (DA) petition. That means this is when you come to court and say if you are guilty or not guilty. When you say you are not guilty a trial date is set.

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How long will my case take?

If you are held in custody your adjudication hearing or trial must begin within 30 days of your pre-trial hearing. If you are not in custody your adjudication hearing must be held within 90 days of your pre-trial hearing. However, both you and the District Attorney have the right to ask the judge for a continuance and sometimes your hearing will not begin within these time lines.

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What is a continuance?

A continuance is when either you or the District Attorney request that your hearing be held at a later date. The judge may also set your hearing for a later date.

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What charges can send me to adult court?

The following charges can send a juvenile from juvenile court to the adult criminal justice system:

• First Degree Murder
• Second Degree Murder
• Aggravated Rape
• Aggravated Kidnapping
• Attempted First Degree Murder
• Attempted Second Degree Murder
• Manslaughter
• Armed Robbery
• Aggravated Burglary
• Forcible Rape
• Simple Rape
• Second Degree Kidnapping
• Aggravated Battery Committed with a Firearm
• A Second or Subsequent Aggravated Battery
• A Second or Subsequent Aggravated Burglary
• A Second or Subsequent Offense of Burglary of an Inhabited Dwelling

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How much time am I facing?

How much time you are facing depends on the charge. Regardless of the charge, no one in the Juvenile Justice System in Louisiana can be held past their 21st birthday.

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What is a “Vitter” charge?

If a juvenile is found guilty of first-degree murder, second-degree murder, aggravated rape they will spend every day in secure care in the custody of OYD until their 21st birthday, with no exceptions.

If a juvenile is found guilty of armed robbery, he or she must serve the time received at the disposition. There is no getting out early on parole.

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What is a subpoena?

A subpoena is an order for you to come to court at a specific day and time. Failing to come to court on the date and time listed in your subpoena could result in a warrant for your arrest.

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What is house arrest?

House arrest usually means that a person can only leave their home for reasons that the Court gives. This means that you cannot go to the store or sit on your neighbor’s porch, you must stay inside your house at all times unless the judge has given you permission to leave.

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