Ariz. R. P. Juv. Ct. 221

As amended through August 22, 2024
Rule 221 - Adjudication Hearing
(a) Generally. At an adjudication hearing, the court determines whether the juvenile committed the acts alleged in the petition.
(b) Time Limits.
(1)Detained Juvenile. The court must hold an adjudication hearing for a detained juvenile no later than 45 days after the advisory hearing, unless the juvenile waives time or time is excluded by the court under Rule 212.
(2)Juvenile Not Detained. The court must hold an adjudication hearing for a juvenile who is not detained no later than 60 days after the advisory hearing, unless the juvenile waives time or time is excluded by the court under Rule 212.
(3)Exceptions. The time limits in subparts (b)(1) and (b)(2) do not apply if a motion for transfer or a petition to revoke probation has been filed.
(4)Reversal by an Appellate Court. If an appellate court reverses a final order and orders an adjudication hearing, the juvenile court must hold the hearing no later than 30 days after the appellate court has issued its mandate.
(c) Burden of Proof. At an adjudication hearing, the State must prove the allegations in the petition beyond a reasonable doubt.
(d) Amendment to Conform to the Evidence. Unless the juvenile consents to the amendment, the petition may be amended only to correct mistakes of fact or to remedy formal or technical defects that conform to the evidence presented at the adjudication hearing.
(e) Judgment of Acquittal. On the juvenile's motion or its own, the court must enter a judgment of acquittal, after the close of the evidence on either side, if there is no substantial evidence to support an alleged offense.
(f) Findings and Orders. The court must make one of the following findings in writing for each offense alleged in the petition:
(1) the alleged offense was proven beyond a reasonable doubt and the juvenile is adjudicated delinquent, or
(2) the alleged offense was not proven beyond a reasonable doubt and the count in which the offense is alleged is dismissed.
(g) Disposition. After a finding of delinquency, the court must set a disposition hearing and may address detention, set conditions of release, or enter other orders as appropriate.

Ariz. R. P. Juv. Ct. 221

Adopted Dec. 8, 2021, effective 7/1/2022.