(3) Fine:
(4) Payment of the cost of the proceedings; or
(5) Institutional care and custody.
CHAPTER 3
PROSECUTION
SEC. 32. Duty of the Prosecutor's Office. - There shall be a specially trained prosecutor to
conduct inquest, preliminary investigation and prosecution of cases involving a child in conflict with
the law. If there is an allegation of torture or ill-treatment of a child in conflict with the law during
arrest or detention, it shall be the duty of the prosecutor to investigate the same.
SEC. 33. Preliminary Investigation and Filing of Information. - The prosecutor shall conduct a
preliminary investigation in the following instances: (a) when the child in conflict with the law does
not qualify for diversion: (b) when the child, his/her parents or guardian does not agree to diversion
as specified in Sections 27 and 28; and (c) when considering the assessment and recommendation
of the social worker, the prosecutor determines that diversion is not appropriate for the child in
conflict with the law.
Upon serving the subpoena and the affidavit of complaint, the prosecutor shall notify the Public
Attorney's Office of such service, as well as the personal information, and place of detention of the
child in conflict with the law.
Upon determination of probable cause by the prosecutor, the information against the child shall be
filed before the Family Court within forty-five (45) days from the start of the preliminary investigation.
CHAPTER 4
COURT PROCEEDINGS
SEC. 34. Bail. - For purposes of recommending the amount of bail, the privileged mitigating
circumstance of minority shall be considered.
SEC. 35. Release on Recognizance. - Where a child is detained, the court shall order:
(a) the release of the minor on recognizance to his/her parents and other suitable person;
(b) the release of the child in conflict with the law on bail; or
(c) the transfer of the minor to a youth detention home/youth rehabilitation center.
The court shall not order the detention of a child in a jail pending trial or hearing of his/her case.
SEC. 36. Detention of the Child Pending Trial. - Children detained pending trial may be released
on bail or recognizance as provided for under Sections 34 and 35 under this Act. In all other cases
and whenever possible, detention pending trial may be replaced by alternative measures, such as
close supervision, intensive care or placement with a family or in an educational setting or home.
Institutionalization or detention of the child pending trial shall be used only as a measure of last
resort and for the shortest possible period of time.
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