Miss. R. Youth Ct. Prac. 8

As amended through March 21, 2024

Rule 8 - INTAKE

(a) Delinquency and child in need of supervision proceedings. Whenever an intake screening process has been conducted pursuant to section 43-21-357(1) of the Mississippi Code and it appears that the child is a delinquent child or a child in need of supervision, the youth court intake unit shall recommend to the court:

(1) that the youth court take no action;

(2) that an informal adjustment process be made;

(3) that the child be warned or counseled informally;

(4) that the matter be referred to the youth court prosecutor for consideration of initiating formal proceedings.

The youth court shall then, without a hearing, order the appropriate action to be taken in accordance with Rule 9(a) of these rules. If the intake screening process discloses that a child needs emergency medical treatment, the judge may order the necessary treatment.

(b) Child protection proceedings. Whenever an intake screening process has been conducted pursuant to section 43-21-357(1) of the Mississippi Code and it appears that the child is an abused or neglected child, the youth court intake unit shall recommend to the court:

(1) that the youth court take no action;

(2) that an informal adjustment process be made;

(3) that the Department of Human Services, Division of Family and Children's Services, or other appointed intake unit, monitor the child, family and other children in the same environment;

(4) that the parents be warned or counseled informally; or

(5) that the matter be referred to the youth court prosecutor for consideration of initiating formal proceedings.

The youth court shall then, without a hearing, order the appropriate action to be taken in accordance with Rule 9(b) of these rules. If the intake screening process discloses that a child needs emergency medical treatment, the judge may order the necessary treatment.

(c) Chancery court proceedings. When a chancery court orders the Department of Human Services, Division of Family and Children's Services, or other appointed intake unit, to investigate a charge of abuse and neglect that first arises in the course of a custody or maintenance action, the assigned caseworker shall conduct an intake screening process in the same manner as required in child protection proceedings and thereupon recommend to the court:

(1) that the chancery court take no action;

(2) that an informal adjustment process be made;

(3) that the Department of Human Services, Division of Family and Children's Services, or other appointed intake unit, monitor the child, family and other children in the same environment;

(4) that the parents be warned or counseled informally; or

(5) that the matter be referred to the youth court prosecutor for consideration of initiating formal proceedings.

The chancery court shall then, without a hearing, order the appropriate action to be taken in accordance with Rule 9(b) of these rules. If the intake screening process discloses that a child needs emergency medical treatment, the judge may order the necessary treatment.

(d) Appointment of intake unit. In every youth court division the judge shall appoint one or more persons to function as an intake unit pursuant to sections 43-21-115 and 43-21-123 of the Mississippi Code.

Miss. R. Youth Ct. Prac. 8

The Uniform Rules of Youth Court Practice were revised by order entered 7/17/2012; amended effective 12/1/2016.

Comments & Procedures

Rule 8(a).

When the intake unit receives a report of a delinquent child or a child in need of supervision it may request, or the youth court may order, the Department of Human Services, Division of Youth Services, or other appointed intake unit, to make an investigation concerning the child, and any other children in the same environment, and present the findings to the intake unit. If it appears from the intake screening process that the child is a delinquent child or a child in need a supervision, the intake unit must make a recommendation to the youth court pursuant to Rule 8(a) of this rule - even if the recommendation is that no action be taken. The youth court shall then, without a hearing, order the appropriate action to be taken. This procedure assures that the youth court is made aware of every valid report received by the intake unit. The youth court, and not the intake unit, determines how each case proceeds. See Miss. Code Ann. § 43-21-357(2).

Rule 8(b).

When the intake unit receives a report of an abused or neglected child it must immediately forward the complaint to the Department of Human Services, Division of Family and Children's Services, or other appointed intake unit, to make an investigation concerning the child, and any other children in the same environment, and promptly present the findings to the intake unit. If it appears from the intake screening process that the child is an abused or neglected child, the intake unit must make a recommendation to the youth court pursuant to Rule 8(b) of this rule - even if the recommendation is that no action be taken. The youth court shall then, without a hearing, order the appropriate action to be taken. This procedure assures that the youth court is made aware of every valid report received by the intake unit. The youth court, and not the intake unit, determines how each case proceeds. See Miss. Code Ann. § 43-21-357(2).

Rule 8(c).

Rule 8(c) is to assure, consistent with Rule 2 of these rules, that chancery court procedures for investigating charges of abuse or neglect are consistent with those applicable to youth court. When a chancellor orders the investigation of abuse or neglect, the Department of Human Services, Division of Family and Children's Services follows normal intake procedures. Upon receiving the intake recommendation, the chancery court must decide whether to hear the case or transfer it to youth court. If the chancery court decides to hear the case, then it must follow all procedures required of a youth court under these rules.

Uniform Youth Court Case Identification and Docket Numbering System.

The Mississippi Supreme Court has adopted a Uniform Youth Court Case Identification and Docket Numbering System to be implemented by intake in assigning an identification and docket number for every matter coming before the youth courts of the State of Mississippi. See Amended Special Order No. 46 (Miss. Dec. 12, 1997).

Uniform Youth Court Case Tracking System and Form.

The Mississippi Supreme Court has adopted a Uniform Youth Court Case Tracking System and Form to be implemented by intake as a data collection procedure for every matter coming before the youth courts of the State of Mississippi. See Special Order No. 47 (Miss. Dec. 16, 1996).