HB 464 -- JUVENILE COURTS

SPONSOR:  Smith

COMMITTEE ACTION:  Voted "do pass" by the Committee on Civil and
Administrative Law by a vote of 8 to 6.

This bill shifts jurisdiction to the juvenile court for cases
involving tobacco offenses by minors.  Currently, the associate
circuit court has jurisdiction.  In addition, the bill lowers
the age above which the juvenile court does not have
jurisdiction over minor traffic offenses from 15� to 15.

FISCAL NOTE:  No impact on state funds.

PROPONENTS:  Supporters say that juveniles can be better served
in juvenile court.  Currently, when police officers write
tickets to minors for smoking, the minors go to municipal court,
which can only impose a fine.  If the child doesn't pay the
fine, there is no further enforcement.  If the case is in
juvenile court, that judge has other options to enforce the
law.  Also, now children can get a driving permit at age 15, not
15�.  This requires a change in the jurisdiction of the juvenile
court, which still uses the 15� language.

Testifying for the bill were Representative Smith; and Judge
Glenn Norton.

OPPONENTS:  There was no opposition voiced to the committee.

Richard Smreker, Senior Legislative Analyst

Missouri House of Representatives
Last Updated November 26, 2001 at 11:44 am