Section 12-15-76Procedure and dispositions in cases involving minors or adults.
In any proceeding arising under subdivision (1) of Section 12-15-31,the court, with the consent of the defendant, may make a preliminary investigationand such adjustment as is practicable, without prosecution. The procedureand disposition applicable in the trial of such cases in a criminal courtshall be applicable to trial in the juvenile court.
The prosecutor shall prepare and prosecute any case within thepurview of Section 12-15-31. Where, in his opinion, it is necessary to protectthe welfare of the persons before the court, the judge, with the consent ofthe defendant and the parties in interest, may conduct hearings in chambersand may exclude persons having no direct interest in the case.
In addition to all other current requirements for investigatingand reporting child abuse and neglect, law enforcement agencies shall investigatecomplaints alleging offenses committed against children by alleged out-of-homeperpetrators. The Department of Human Resources shall cooperate with law enforcementagencies in interviewing the alleged abused children.
(Acts 1975, No. 1205, p. 2384, §5-151; Acts 1990, No. 90-674,p. 1304, §14.)
|
