Indiana Code
Chapter 5. Child Taken Into Custody
31-37-5-3. Release or Detention of Child Taken Into Custody Without Court Order

Sec. 3. (a) If a child is not taken into custody under an order of the court, the law enforcement officer may release the child or may release the child to the child's parent, guardian, or custodian upon the person's written promise to bring the child before the juvenile court at a time specified. Subject to subsection (c), the law enforcement officer may place the child in detention if the law enforcement officer reasonably believes that:
(1) the child is unlikely to appear before the juvenile court for subsequent proceedings;
(2) the child has committed an act that would be murder or a Level 1 felony, Level 2 felony, Level 3 felony, or Level 4 felony if committed by an adult;
(3) detention is essential to protect the child or the community;
(4) the parent, guardian, or custodian:
(A) cannot be located; or
(B) is unable or unwilling to take custody of the child; or
(5) the child has a reasonable basis for requesting that the child not be released.
(b) If a child is detained for a reason specified in subsection (a)(4) or (a)(5), the child shall be detained under IC 31-37-7-1.
(c) Unless a law enforcement officer determines that detention is essential to protect a child or the community, the law enforcement officer who detains a child for a violation of the curfew law under IC 31-37-3 shall make a good faith effort to release the child to the child's parent, guardian, or custodian within a reasonable time after the child is detained.
[Pre-1997 Recodification Citation: 31-6-4-5(c).]
As added by P.L.1-1997, SEC.20. Amended by P.L.79-2001, SEC.3; P.L.158-2013, SEC.327.

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