In re Nathan N.

The juvenile delinquency petition against the 15-year-old respondent charged him with knowingly selling heroin and possessing heroin with intent to sell. After a finding of his guilt of acts that would constitute a narcotics felony if he were an adult, his pretrial release on parole was continued on the condition of his attendance at a rehabilitative program, pending disposition (the equivalent of sentencing in an adult criminal case). The issue now is whether the court should order respondent’s coerced "placement”, which substitutes in juvenile proceedings for adult imprisonment, or should…