Mississippi § 43-21-405 - Informal adjustment process.

§ 43-21-405. Informal adjustment process.

The informal adjustment process shall be initiated with an informal adjustment conference conducted by an informal adjustment counselor appointed by the judge or his designee. If the child and his parent, guardian or custodian appear at the informal adjustment conference without counsel, the informal adjustment counselor shall, at the commencement of the conference, inform them of their right to counsel, the child’s right to appointment of counsel and the right of the child to remain silent. If either the child or his parent, guardian or custodian indicates a desire to be represented by counsel, the informal adjustment counselor shall adjourn the conference to afford an opportunity to secure counsel. At the beginning of the informal adjustment conference, the informal adjustment counselor shall inform the child and his parent, guardian or custodian: That information has been received concerning the child which appears to establish jurisdiction of the youth court; The purpose of the informal adjustment conference; That during the informal adjustment process no petition will be filed; That the informal adjustment process is voluntary with the child and his parent, guardian or custodian and that they may withdraw from the informal adjustment at any time; and The circumstances under which the informal adjustment process can be terminated under Section 43-21-407. The informal adjustment counselor shall then discuss with the child and his parent, guardian or custodian: Recommendations for actions or conduct in the interest of the child to correct the conditions of behavior or environment which may exist; Continuing conferences and contacts with the child and his parent, guardian or custodian by the informal adjustment counselor or other authorized persons; and The child’s general behavior, his home and school environment and other factors bearing upon the proposed informal adjustment. After the parties have agreed upon the appropriate terms and conditions of informal adjustment, the informal adjustment counselor and the child and his parent, guardian or custodian shall sign a written informal adjustment agreement setting forth the terms and conditions of the informal adjustment. The informal adjustment agreement may be modified at any time upon the consent of all parties to the informal adjustment conference. The informal adjustment process shall not continue beyond a period of six (6) months from its commencement unless extended by the youth court for an additional period not to exceed six (6) months by court authorization prior to the expiration of the original six-month period. In no event shall the custody or supervision of a child which has been placed with the Department of Public Welfare be continued or extended except upon a written finding by the youth court judge or referee that reasonable efforts have been made to maintain the child within his own home, but that the circumstances warrant his removal and there is no reasonable alternative to custody, and that reasonable efforts will continue to be made towards reunification of the family.