§ 5284. Youthful Offender Determination and Disposition Order

(a) In a hearing on a motion for youthful offender status, the court shall first consider whether public safety will be protected by treating the youth as a youthful offender. If the court finds that public safety will not be protected by treating the youth as a youthful offender, the court shall deny the motion and transfer the case to the Criminal Division of the Superior Court pursuant to subsection 5281(d) of this title. If the court finds that public safety will be protected by treating the youth as a youthful offender, the court shall proceed to make a determination under subsection (b) of this section.

(b)(1) The court shall deny the motion if the court finds that:

(A) the youth is not amenable to treatment or rehabilitation as a youthful offender; or

(B) there are insufficient services in the juvenile court system and the Department for Children and Families and the Department of Corrections to meet the youth's treatment and rehabilitation needs.

(2) The court shall grant the motion if the court finds that:

(A) the youth is amenable to treatment or rehabilitation as a youthful offender; and

(B) there are sufficient services in the juvenile court system and the Department for Children and Families and the Department of Corrections to meet the youth's treatment and rehabilitation needs.

(c) If the court approves the motion for youthful offender treatment after an adjudication pursuant to subsection 5281(d) of this title, the court:

(1) shall approve a disposition case plan and impose conditions of juvenile probation on the youth; and

(2) may transfer legal custody of the youth to a parent, relative, person with a significant relationship with the youth, or Commissioner, provided that any transfer of custody shall expire on the youth's 18th birthday.

(d) The Department for Children and Families and the Department of Corrections shall be responsible for supervision of and providing services to the youth until he or she reaches 22 years of age. Both Departments shall designate a case manager who together shall appoint a lead Department to have final decision-making authority over the case plan and the provision of services to the youth. The youth shall be eligible for appropriate community-based programming and services provided by both Departments. (Added 2017, No. 72, § 5, eff. July 1, 2018.)