Rule 190 Admissions Before Juvenile Court Hearing Officer

A hearing officer (not a full judge) can accept a guilty admission from a juvenile, but only for misdemeanor charges. Misdemeanors are less serious crimes, so more serious felony charges must go before an actual judge.

When a juvenile admits to the offense, the hearing officer must follow the same steps required under Rule 407. Those steps are meant to make sure the admission is made freely and that the juvenile understands what they are agreeing to.