Public Law 75–486

That for the purposes of this Act a “juvenile” is a person seventeen years of age or under, “juvenile delinquency” is an offense against the laws of the United States committed by a juvenile and not punishable by death or life imprisonment.

Sec. 2.

Whenever any juvenile is charged with the commission of

Prosecutions.

any offense against the laws of the United States, other than an offense punishable by death or life imprisonment, and such juvenile is not surrendered to the authorities of any State, pursuant to the provisions of the Act of June 11, 1932 (47 Stat. 301; U. S. C., title

47 Stat. 301.

18 U. S. C. § 662a.

18, sec. 662a), he shall be prosecuted as a juvenile delinquent if the Attorney General in his discretion so directs and the accused consents

Consent by accused.

Procedure.

to such procedure. In such event such person shall be prosecuted by information on the charge of juvenile delinquency, and no prosecution shall be instituted for the specific offense alleged to have been committed by him. The said consent required to be given by such juvenile shall be given by him in writing before a judge of the district court of the United States having cognizance of the offense, who shall fully apprize the juvenile of his rights and of the consequences of such consent.

Sec. 3.

The district court of the United States having jurisdiction

Court jurisdiction.

of the offense shall have jurisdiction to try persons prosecuted as juvenile delinquents. For such purposes the court may be convened at any time and place within the district, in chambers or otherwise. The trial shall be without a jury. The consent on the part of the

Consent deemed waiver of jury trial.

juvenile to be prosecuted on a charge of juvenile delinquency shall be deemed a waiver of a trial by jury.

Sec. 4.

In the event that the court finds such juvenile guilty of

Probation after conviction; period, etc.

juvenile delinquency, it may place him on probation under the provisions of the Act. of March 4, 1925, as amended (43 Stat. 1259; U. S. C.,

43 Stat. 1259.

18 U. S. C. §§ 724–728; Supp. III, § 725.

Commitment to custody of Attorney General.

title 18, secs. 724 to 728), except that the period of probation may include but may not exceed the minority of the delinquent; or it may commit the delinquent to the custody of the Attorney General for a period not exceeding his minority, but in no event exceeding the term for which the juvenile could have been sentenced if he had been tried and convicted of the offense which he had committed. The

Designation of agency for custody, care, etc.

Attorney General may designate any public or private agency for the custody, care, subsistence, education, and training of the juvenile during the period for which he was committed. The cost of such

Fund made available for expenses.

custody and care may be paid from the appropriation for “Support of United States prisoners” or such other appropriation as the Attorney General may designate.

Sec. 5.

Whenever a juvenile is arrested on a charge of having committed

Arrests on Federal charges.

Notice to Attorney General.

an offense against the laws of the United States, the arresting officer shall immediately notify the Attorney General of such fact. If such juvenile is not forthwith taken before a committing magistrate,

Detention.

he may be detained in such juvenile home or other suitable place of detention as the Attorney General may designate for such purposes, but shall not be detained in a jail or similar place of detention, unless, in the opinion of the arresting officer, such detention is necessary to secure the custody of such juvenile, or to insure his safety or that of others. In no case shall such detention be for a longer period than is necessary to produce such juvenile before a committing magistrate. The committing magistrate may release such juvenile on bail,

Release on bail, etc.

upon his own recognizance or that of some responsible person, or in default of bail may commit him to the custody of the United States marshal, who shall lodge him in such juvenile home or other suitable place of detention as the Attorney General may designate for that purpose. Such juvenile shall not be committed to a jail or other

Commitment to jail, etc., forbidden; exception.

similar institution, unless in the opinion of the marshal it appears that such commitment is necessary to secure the custody of the juvenile or to insure his safety or that of others. A juvenile detained

Segregation from adults.

in a jail or similar institution shall be held in custody in a room or other place apart from adults if facilities for such segregation are available.

Sec. 6.

The Director of the Bureau of Prisons may contract with public or private agencies for the custody, care, subsistence, education, and training of juvenile delinquents and may defray the cost of such custody, care, subsistence, education, and training from the appropriation for “Support of United States prisoners” or such other appropriation as the Attorney General may designate.

Sec. 7.

A juvenile delinquent committed under this Act who has, by his conduct, given sufficient evidence that he has reformed, may be released on parole at any time by the Board of Parole established by

46 Stat. 272.

18 U. S. C. §§ 723a–723c.

the Act of May 13, 1930 (46 Stat. 272, ch. 255; U. S. C., title 18, sec. 723, subsecs, (a)-(c)). If it shall appear to the satisfaction of such Board that there is reasonable probability that such juvenile will, if conditionally released, remain at liberty without violating the law, then the Board may, in its discretion, parole such juvenile under conditions and regulations as the Board may deem proper.

Sec. 8.

Nothing in this Act shall be construed to supersede or repeal any provisions of law relative to the custody, care, subsistence, education, or training of juveniles, which are now or may hereafter be made particularly applicable to the District of Columbia.

Sec. 9.

This Act may be cited as “The Federal Juvenile Delinquency Act”.