MINNESOTA COURT RULES

JUVENILE COURT

Minnesota Rules of Juvenile Delinquency Procedure

Forms provided here are for reference purposes. To download forms to fill out please visit the Minnesota Courts website.

Form 10. Statement of Rights: Juvenile Traffic Offender Proceedings

STATEMENT OF RIGHTS

JUVENILE TRAFFIC OFFENDER PROCEEDINGS

You have been charged as a juvenile traffic offender by a document filed in Juvenile Court. You are presumed innocent of the charge(s) unless and until the state is able to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. You have the following rights:

1.	The right to understand the charge(s) against you.
2.	The right to be represented by an attorney that you hire. You do not have a right to appointment of a public defender or other counsel at public expense. If you wish to be represented by an attorney, you or your parent(s), legal guardian(s), or legal custodian(s) must hire one and pay the cost. You may not be represented in court by anyone who is not an attorney, even if that person is your parent.
3.	The right to plead guilty, plead not guilty, or remain silent. If you remain silent, the judge will enter a not guilty plea for you and the case will go to trial.
4.	If you plead not guilty, you have additional rights including:
	a.	The right to a trial before a judge;
	b.	The right to require the state to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that you committed the offense(s);
	c.	The right to cross-examine witnesses called by the state;
	d.	The right to subpoena witnesses and present evidence on your own behalf; and
	e.	The right not to testify or to give an explanation of your actions.
5.	If you plead guilty, you give up the rights listed in paragraph 4. The judge will ask you what you did. The judge cannot accept your plea unless you admit doing something that is an offense.
6.	Your guilty plea must be made freely and voluntarily, without threats or promises by anyone, with the exception of any plea agreement.
7.	If you plead guilty or the judge finds you guilty of an offense, the judge may:
	a.	Reprimand you and counsel you and your parent(s), legal guardian(s) or legal custodian(s);
	b.	Continue the case for a reasonable period under such conditions governing your use and operation of motor vehicles or watercraft as the court may set;
	c.	Require you to attend a driver improvement course;
	d.	Recommend that the Commissioner of Public Safety suspend your driver's license;
	e.	If you are found to have committed two moving highway traffic violations or to have contributed to a highway accident involving death, injury, or physical damage in excess of $100, the judge may recommend that the Commissioner of Public Safety cancel your driver's license until you are 18;
	f.	Place you on probation in your own home under conditions set by the judge including reasonable rules relating to the operation and use of motor vehicles or watercraft;
	g.	Order restitution for any damage to person(s) and/or property;
	h.	Order community work service or a fine up to $1,000; and/or
	i.	Order a chemical assessment for alcohol-related driving offenses and charge $75.00 for the assessment.
8.	Your parent(s), legal guardian(s) or legal custodian(s) may not participate in the hearing until you have either pled guilty or the judge finds you guilty of the offense. At that time, your parent(s), legal guardian(s) or legal custodian(s) has the right to present information to the judge and may be represented by an attorney.

IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS ABOUT YOUR RIGHTS, ASK YOUR ATTORNEY BEFORE THE HEARING. IF YOU DO NOT HAVE AN ATTORNEY, ASK THE JUDGE DURING YOUR HEARING.

DATE:_	_
	(Signature of Child)
DATE:_	_
	(Signature of Parent, Legal Guardian, or Legal Custodian)
	(05/14)