In re the Interest of M.B.

These six cases raise challenging issues of daily significance in juvenile courts across the state: What are the source and scope of a court’s contempt powers in juvenile status offense cases, and what procedure is required in such proceedings?

It is axiomatic that a court must be able to enforce its orders. It is equally clear that the requirements of due process must be honored. The juvenile contempt statutes provide that commitment to detention for determinate periods of time is a “remedial” sanction. Read literally, this contravenes the Constitution. We hold, however, that the powers…