Attendance at juvenile hearings by crime victims

Notwithstanding the provisions of § 26-7A-36 , the victim of any act of juvenile delinquency may attend all hearings involving the juvenile. The term, victim, means a person who is defined as a victim in subdivision 22-1-2(53) or in § 23A-28C-4 , or, if the victim is a child, the victim's parents, guardian, or custodian. The court may exclude a victim from a hearing if the court finds compelling reasons. The court may also sequester a victim who is a witness. The state's attorney shall notify the victim of the time and place of hearings involving the juvenile. Source: SL 1996, ch 175.