§ 14-1-32 - Power of court to order disposition of child. - Rhode Island Statutes

SECTION 14-1-32

   § 14-1-32  Power of court to orderdisposition of child. – If the court finds that a child is delinquent, wayward, neglected, dependent,or otherwise within the provisions of this chapter, it may by order dulyentered proceed as follows:

   (1) The court may place the child on probation or undersupervision in his or her own home or in the custody of a relative or othersuitable person, or in the custody of the director of children, youth andfamilies, upon any terms the court determines. Nothing in this section shallprohibit the placement of a child in any facility licensed or approved byanother department of state government, upon any terms that the court shalldetermine; provided, that if the court finds that a child is delinquent orwayward for any offense which has resulted in damage to the property ofanother, then the court may order that appropriate monetary restitution be madeimmediately to the owner of the damaged property by the child, his or herparent, parents, or guardian or other lawful custodian, upon examination andafter a finding that the child, or his or her parent, parents, or guardian orother lawful custodian, has the ability to pay restitution.

   (2) The court may order the child to engage in communityrestitution at a state or municipal agency or department in addition to or inlieu of restitution, for a period of time to be determined by the court.

   (3) The court may order the parent or parents of the child toundertake a program of counseling, which program shall be designed to attemptto remedy those conditions which led to the child's coming before the court.

   (4) The court may, by order duly entered, prior to a findingthat a child is delinquent, wayward, neglected, dependent, or otherwise withinthe provisions of this chapter, place the petition on file. The court may, inits discretion, attach conditions to the petition. The conditions shall be avalid court order. If no action is taken on the petition for a period of oneyear or less, if so ordered, following the filing, the authorization issuingthe petition shall be revoked by the clerk and the petition shall be closed.

   (5) The court may, after a hearing on either a stenographicor tape recorded record, and after also considering any need of the juvenileand/or the juvenile's family for the juvenile to have a driver's license, therelative benefits of the juvenile retaining or losing driving privileges, andwhether any circumstances in the school environment or educational services areadversely affecting the juvenile's school attendance deny, revoke, suspendand/or reinstate a juvenile's driving privileges including both the learninglicense and/or driver's license of any juvenile deemed wayward as a result ofthe family court finding the child truant pursuant to chapter 19 of title 16and/or wayward/delinquent.