Non-Voluntary Return of Out-of-State Juveniles

Requisitions must be entered electronically in the electronic data system. The following requisition process shall apply to all juveniles in custody who refuse to voluntarily return to their home/demanding state; or juveniles whose whereabouts are known, but are not in custody:

1. The appropriate authority in the home/demanding state shall prepare a written requisition within sixty (60) calendar days of notification: (a) of refusal of the juvenile to voluntarily return as prescribed in Rule 6-102, or (b) to request that a court takes into custody a juvenile that is allegedly located in their jurisdiction.

2. Juveniles held in detention, pending non-voluntary return to the demanding state, may be held for a maximum of ninety (90) calendar days. The home/demanding state’s office shall maintain regular contact with the authorities preparing the requisition to ensure accurate preparation and timely delivery of said documents to minimize detention time.

3. When the juvenile is a non-delinquent runaway, the parent/legal guardian or custodial agency must petition the court of jurisdiction in the home/demanding state for a requisition.

a. The petitioner may use Form A, Petition for Requisition to Return Runaway Juvenile, or other petition. The petition must state the juvenile's name and date of birth, the name of the petitioner, and the basis of entitlement to the juvenile's custody, the circumstances of his/her running away, his/her location if known at the time application is made, and such other facts as may tend to show that the juvenile who has run away is endangering his/her own welfare or the welfare of others and is not an emancipated minor.

b. The petition shall be verified by affidavit.

c. The petition is to be accompanied by a certified copy of the document(s) on which the petitioner’s entitlement to the juvenile's custody is based, such as birth certificates, letters of guardianship, or custody decrees.

d. Other affidavits and other documents may be submitted with such petition.

4. The home/demanding state's appropriate authority shall initiate the requisition process upon notification by the holding state's ICJ Office that a non-delinquent juvenile in custody refuses to voluntarily return and the parent or legal guardian in the home/demanding state is unable or refuses to initiate the requisition process.

5. The judge in the home/demanding state shall determine if: 

a. The petitioner is entitled to legal custody of the juvenile;

b. The juvenile ran away without consent;

c. The juvenile is an emancipated minor; and

d. It is in the best interest of the juvenile to compel his/her return to the state.

6. When it is determined that the juvenile should be returned, the judge in the home/demanding state shall sign the Form I, Requisition for Runaway Juvenile.

7. When the juvenile is an absconder, escapee or accused of being delinquent, the appropriate authority shall present to the appropriate court Form II, Requisition for Escapee or Absconder or Accused Delinquent, where the juvenile is alleged to be located. The requisition shall be verified by affidavit and shall be accompanied by copies of supporting documents that show entitlement to the juvenile. Examples may include: 

a. Judgment

b. Order of Adjudication

c. Order of Commitment

d. Petition Alleging Delinquency

e. Other affidavits and documents may be submitted with such requisition.

8. Upon receipt of the requisition, the home/demanding state’s ICJ Office shall ensure the requisition packets is in order. The ICJ Office will submit the requisition packets through the electronic data system. The holding state may request and shall be entitled to receive originals or duly certified copies of any legal documents.

9. If not already detained, the court shall order the juvenile be held pending a hearing on the requisition.

10. A hearing in the state where the juvenile is located shall occur within thirty (30) calendar days of receipt of the requisition. This time period may be extended with the approval of both ICJ Offices. The court in the holding state shall inform the juvenile of the demand made for his/her return and may elect to appoint counsel or a guardian ad litem. The purpose of said hearing is to determine if the requisition is in order. 

a. If the requisition is found to be in order by the court, the judge shall order the juvenile's return to the home/demanding state.

b. If the requisition is denied, the judge shall issue written findings detailing the reason(s) for denial.

11. In all cases, the order concerning the requisition shall be forwarded immediately from the holding court to the holding state's ICJ Office which shall forward the same to the home/demanding state's ICJ Office.

12. Requisitioned juveniles shall be accompanied in their return to the home/demanding state unless both ICJ Offices determine otherwise. Juveniles shall be returned by the home/demanding state within five (5) business days of the receipt of the order granting the requisition. This time period may be extended with approval from both ICJ Offices.

13. The duly accredited officers of any compacting state, upon the establishment of their authority and the identity of the juvenile being returned, shall be permitted to transport such juvenile through any and all states party to this compact, without interference.

History: Adopted December 3, 2009, effective March 1, 2010; amended September 15, 2010, effective January 1, 2011; amended October 26, 2011, effective March 1, 2012; amended October 17, 2012, effective November 1, 2012.