If you have a child facing home detention as ordered by a Utah juvenile court judge, here are answers to some questions you may have.

How Long is Home Detention?

If a child meets certain qualifications, he may be ordered to serve his detention at home as opposed to a locked detention facility. A judge will decide the length of your child’s sentence in home detention; it could be as long as 30 days.

Can My Child Go Anywhere With Me?

Your child can go anywhere with you (the parent). However, if you plan to go out-of-state you must receive permission from a judge.

May My Child Have Friends in the Home While in Detention?

Your child may have 1 or 2 friends who are positive influences visit them in your home. You are expected to supervise such visits and approve any friends prior to their visit.

Can My Child be Taken to a Relative’s Home for Supervision?

Your child may visit a relative’s home if his case manager or home detention counselor authorizes the temporary arrangement.

Is My Child Allowed to Drive Himself to Work While on Home Detention?

It depends on the charges against your child, his attitude and his behavior. Your child must also possess a driver’s license.

Can an Older Sibling Supervise My Child?

No. A parent must supervise a child who is under Home Detention.

Serving detention of any type will not likely be your child’s first choice. However, home detention is generally preferable to locked detention. If your child’s case is in process and you have not yet consulted a Utah juvenile defense attorney, don’t wait any longer.

An attorney can be your child’s advocate in all aspects of his or her court experience. Having an attorney represent your child may mean the difference between what type of detention he serves, if any. Do your child and yourself a favor by contacting a Utah juvenile defense attorney today.