Art. 814. Taking child into custody without a court order; duties of the officer; duties of
the court
A. A child may be taken into custody without a court order or warrant by a peace
officer or probation officer if the officer has probable cause to believe that the child has
committed a delinquent act. When the officer has probable cause to believe that the child
has committed a delinquent act, the officer, in lieu of taking the child into custody, may
issue a verbal warning to the child.
B. If a child is taken into custody without a court order or warrant, the officer shall
have the responsibility to either:
(1) Counsel and release the child to the care of his parents upon their written
promise to bring the child to court at such time as may be fixed by the court.
(2) Follow the appropriate procedures set forth in Article 815.
C. If the officer does not release the child to the care of his parents, the officer
shall promptly notify the child's parents that he has been taken into custody.
D. The officer shall immediately execute a written statement of facts, sworn to
before an officer authorized by law to administer oaths, supporting the existence of
probable cause to believe either that the child committed a delinquent act or that the child
has violated the terms of his probation or otherwise has violated the terms of his release.
This affidavit shall be submitted to the juvenile court. Within forty-eight hours after the
child has been taken into custody, including legal holidays within the time computation,
the court shall review the affidavit, and if it determines that probable cause exists, the
child shall be held for a continued custody hearing pursuant to Article 819. If the court
determines that probable cause does not exist, the child shall be released from custody.
The provisions of this Paragraph shall not be construed to require the officer who
executed the written statement to personally appear in court for any determination of
probable cause in connection with the child being taken into custody.
E. The officer shall submit a report to the district attorney or an officer designated
by the court to receive such reports. The report shall include:
(1) The name, address, date of birth, sex, and race of the child.
(2) The name and address of the parents, or spouse, if any, of the child.
(3) A plain and concise statement of the facts and circumstances of the officer's
taking the child into custody.
(4) A plain and concise statement of facts and circumstances showing probable
cause that the child committed a delinquent act.
(5) A statement indicating whether the child was released, or escorted to a juvenile
detention center, or placed in a shelter care facility.
F. If the child is released pursuant to Paragraph B or D of this Article, the report
shall be submitted by the officer within seven days from the child's release. If the child is
not so released, the report shall be submitted within twenty-four hours of the child being
taken into custody.
Acts 1991, No. 235, §8, eff. Jan. 1, 1992; Acts 1992, No. 705, §1, eff. July 6,
1992; Acts 1993, No. 634, §1, eff. June 15, 1993; Acts 1995, No. 1158, §1; Acts 2008,
No. 293, §1, eff. August 15, 2008; Acts 2019, No. 147, §1, eff. August 1, 2019.