When does jurisdiction attach in juvenile cases?

• A. At the time the offense is charged
• B. Upon conviction
• C. From the time they are taken into custody
• D. When they turn 18

Answer: (C)

Jurisdiction attaches when the child is taken into custody by authorities. Once the juvenile is placed under state supervision or detention, the juvenile court gains authority to proceed with the case, request a petition, hold hearings, and issue orders. This timing matters because it happens before any charging or conviction, and long before the child reaches adulthood. Turning 18 may affect the length of supervision or the jurisdictional limits, but it does not determine when jurisdiction begins. Hence, the moment of custody is the point at which the court’s jurisdiction attaches.