Tennessee § 37-1-146 - Juvenile traffic offenders.

§ 37-1-146. Juvenile traffic offenders.

All cases of alleged traffic violations by children coming within this part shall be heard and disposed of upon a traffic ticket or citation signed by a law enforcement officer that describes in general terms the nature of the violation. Such cases may be disposed of through informal adjustment, pretrial diversion, or judicial diversion; in any case, however, the child or the child's parents may request and shall be granted a hearing before the judge. If the court finds that the child violated a traffic law or ordinance, the court may adjudicate the child to be a traffic violator, and the court may make one (1) or any combination of the following decisions: Suspend and hold the child's driver license for a specified or indefinite time; Limit the child's driving privileges as an order of the court; Order the child to attend traffic school, if available, or to receive driving instructions; Impose a fine of not more than fifty dollars ($50.00) against the child's parent or legal guardian; Perform community service work in lieu of a fine; or Place the child on probation pursuant to § 37-1-131(a)(2). In any case or class of cases, the judge of any juvenile court may waive jurisdiction of traffic violators who are sixteen (16) years of age or older, and such cases shall be heard by the court or courts having jurisdiction of adult traffic violations, or the child's parent or legal guardian may pay the stipulated fine to a traffic bureau. Acts 1970, ch. 600, § 45; T.C.A., § 37-245; Acts 2016, ch. 600, § 11; 2018, ch. 1052, §§ 43, 44; 2019, ch. 312, § 9. Compiler's Notes. Acts 2018, ch. 1052, § 1 provided that the act, which amended this section, shall be known and may be cited as the “Juvenile Justice Reform Act of 2018.” Acts 2018, ch. 1052, § 55 provided that it is the intent of the general assembly that improvements to the juvenile justice system and expansion of community-based resources for justice-involved children be prioritized, including, but not limited to, evidence-based programs, informal adjustment, diversion, home placement supervision, statewide data collection, early intervention programs and services for children and families, and mental health services, especially in any county underserved with such programs and services. Amendments. The 2016 amendment added (b)(5). The 2018 amendment, in (b)(4), inserted “against the child’s parent or legal guardian”; and, in (c), substituted “child’s parent or legal guardian” for “child” preceding “may pay”. The 2019 amendment, in (a), substituted “through informal adjustment, pretrial diversion, or judicial diversion” for “nonjudicially under the supervision of the judge”; in (b), substituted “adjudicate” for “decree”, and substituted “the court” for “, in addition to any disposition provided for in this part for the disposition of a delinquent or unruly child, the judge”; and added (b)(6). Effective Dates. Acts 2016, ch. 600, § 17. July 1, 2016. Acts 2018, ch. 1052, § 58. July 1, 2018; provided that for purposes of rulemaking, the act took effect on May 21, 2018. Acts 2019, ch. 312, § 11. May 8, 2019. Rule Reference. This section is referred to in Rule 1 of the Tennessee Rules of Juvenile Procedure. Law Reviews. Rules of Procedure for Courts with Juvenile Jurisdiction in Tennessee (R.B.J. Campbelle, Jr.), 18 No. 2 Tenn. B.J. 20 (1982).