Arkansas Department of Human Services v. State

David Newbern, Justice.

The issue in this case is whether the Chancellor erred in ordering that a juvenile offender committed to a youth services center be placed in a serious offender program. Although the Chancellor clearly had the authority to commit the youth to a youth services center, he lacked authority to order commitment to a serious offender program within the youth services center. We thus reverse and remand the judgment.

Gary Harbin, aged 16, pleaded guilty in the Juvenile Division of Garland Chancery Court to a violent kidnapping and first degree battery in which serious injury was…