What happens if a juvenile fails to appear in court?

If a juvenile fails to appear in court in Pennsylvania, there can be various consequences. Most commonly, the judge may issue a “bench warrant” for the juvenile’s arrest. This means that law enforcement may detain the juvenile and bring them to court. Additionally, if the accused had their defendant will appear in court when required.">bail posted, they could lose that money. Depending on the severity of the case, the juvenile’s court-appointed attorney may choose to file a motion for the bench warrant to be withdrawn. If the juvenile was arraigned on the charge the judge may also impose additional conditions such as paying fines or participating in community service. If the juvenile is a runaway or fails to appear in court multiple times, the judge could decide to detain the juvenile until they are an adult. Pennsylvania does not have a specific statute that authorizes this, but generally it is decided based on the best interests of the juvenile and the demands of justice. Finally, if the juvenile is on probation, their probation may be revoked or additional sanctions imposed. This could include a longer probation period, additional court-ordered treatment or counseling, or commitment to a residential facility.

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What happens if a juvenile fails to appear in court?

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