Acknowledgement of Rights and Waiver of Counsel

In all Delinquency or CHINS cases, except those filed by a parent, guardian, or custodian, if the juvenile elects to enter a plea of true or nolo contendere, without counsel, the juvenile and a parent shall review and sign: (1) A Juvenile Acknowledgment of Rights form; and (2) A Waiver of Counsel form. The judge shall review these documents with the juvenile and the parent(s) to ensure they are understood. If the juvenile is represented by counsel, the juvenile and counsel shall execute a Juvenile Acknowledgment of Rights form. No plea from a juvenile shall be taken unless a Juvenile Acknowledgment of Rights form is executed by the juvenile, and parent(s) or counsel, except for good cause shown. In all Delinquency or CHINS cases filed by a parent, the Court shall appoint counsel to represent the juvenile before a plea of true or nolo contendere may be considered by the Court.