Section 169-D:10 Release Prior to Initial Appearance. - New Hampshire Statutes

   I. An officer taking a child into custody pursuant to RSA 169-D:8 shall release the child to a parent, guardian or custodian pending initial appearance; however, if a parent, guardian or custodian is not available upon taking the child into custody, the court shall be notified, thereupon the child's release shall be determined by the court.
   II. Pending the initial appearance, the court shall release the child to one of the following, which in the court's opinion is the least restrictive and most appropriate:
      (a) A parent or guardian;
      (b) A relative or suitable adult;
      (c) The custody of department of health and human services for placement in a foster home, as defined in RSA 169-C:3, XIII, a group home, a crisis home, or a shelter care facility with expenses chargeable as provided in RSA 169-D:29; or
      (d) [Repealed.]
      (e) An alcohol crisis center certified to accept juveniles.
   III. Should there be no shelter care/detention bed available, nor an appropriate parent, guardian, or custodian as defined in paragraph II of this section available, the court or the officer taking the child into temporary custody shall notify the department. If the child cannot be referred to an alternative to secure detention, the court shall make an order authorizing the department to place the child. The department shall then promptly arrange for placement of the child.

Source. 1979, 361:2. 1982, 39:15. 1988, 197:13. 1989, 285:8. 1995, 310:175. 2001, 117:6, eff. Aug. 25, 2001. 2007, 325:12, 15, III, eff. July 16, 2007.