Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 77.djvu/620

 588

PUBLIC LAW 88-241-DEC. 23, 1963

[77 STAT.

the District of Columbia, and shall designate at least one of his deputies to serve at the court, where he shall perform such services as the judge requires. § 16-2305. Failure to obey summons; contempt; warrant When a person summoned as provided by sections 16-2303 and 162304, without reasonable cause, fails to appear, he may be proceeded against for contempt of court. When the summons can not be served, or the parties served fail to obey it, or the welfare of the child requires that he be brought forthwith into the custody of the court, a warrant may be issued against the parent or guardian or against the child himself. § 16-2306. Taking child into custody; release to custody of parent, guardian, custodian, or probation officer; limitation on detention (a) When an officer takes a child into custody, he shall, unless it is impracticable or has been otherwise ordered by the court, accept the written promise of the parent, guardian, or custodian to bring the child to the court at the time fixed. Thereupon, the child may be released in the custody of a parent, guardian, or custodian. If not so released, the child shall be placed in the custody of a probation officer or other person designated by the court, or taken inimediately to the court or to a place of detention provided by the Board of Commissioners of the District of Columbia or its authorized representative, and the officer taking him shall immediately notify the court and shall file a petition when directed to do so by the court. (b) A child whose custody has been assumed by the court may, pending final disposition of the case, be released by the court in the custody of a parent, guardian, or custodian, or of a probation officer or other person appointed by the court, to be brought before the court at the time designated. WTien not released as herein provided, the child, pending the hearing of the case, shall be detained in a place of detention provided by the Board of Commissioners of the District of Columbia or its authorized representative, subject to further order of the court. (c) This subchapter does not forbid a peace officer, police officer, or probation officer from immediately taking into custody a child: (1) who is found violating a law or ordinance; or (2) who is reasonably beheved to be a fugitive from his parents or from justice; or (3) whose surroundings are such as to endanger his health, morals, or safety, unless immediate action is taken. I n a case specified by this subsection, the officer taking the child into custody shall immediately report the fact to the court and the case shall then be proceeded with as provided by this subchapter and chapter 15 of Title 11. A child so taken into custody may not be held in a place of detention for a period longer than five days, excluding Sundays and holidays, unless the court orders him detained for a further period. § 16-2307. Hearing; exclusion of public; jury trial The court may conduct a hearing pursuant to this subchapter in an informal manner, and may adjourn the^ hearing from time to time. The general public shall be excluded from the hearing and only such persons as have a direct interest in the case and their representatives may be admitted except that the judge presiding at the hearing, by rule of court or special order, may admit such other persons as he deems to have a legitimate interest in the case or the work of the court. Cases involving children may be heard separately and apart from the trial of cases against adults. The court shall hear and deter-

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