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Senate panel advances bill limiting shackling of juveniles in court; lawmakers seek procedural fixes
Summary
The Senate Courts Committee advanced SB 1255, which would restrict use of restraints on juveniles during court appearances and require written findings by a judge before ordering restraints. Lawmakers and sheriffs debated logistics for arraignments, counsel access, and which officials should decide security measures.
SB 1255, a bill from Sen. Lamont Bagby, would prohibit the routine use of shackles and other restraints on juveniles when they appear in juvenile and domestic relations court and require a judge to make written findings before ordering restraints.
The bill’s sponsor, Senator Lamont Bagby, told the committee, "SB 1255 prohibits the use of restraints on juveniles appearing before the juvenile and domestic relations court unless certain circumstances...before the court can order a juvenile to be restrained, the court must make written findings of the facts, in support of the order." Bagby said the measure responds to jurisdictions that routinely shackle youth even when judges have asked them to stop.
The measure drew a lengthy debate about…
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