Which statement best defines personal recognizance of a juvenile delinquent?

Which statement best defines personal recognizance of a juvenile delinquent?

• A. A juvenile who has been arrested as a juvenile delinquent is released to the custody of a parent for appearance at family court at a later date.
• B. A juvenile who is placed in detention until the next court date.
• C. A juvenile who is released only after posting bail.
• D. A juvenile who is required to wear an electronic monitoring device.

Answer: (A)

Personal recognizance means releasing someone on their own promise to appear in court, without requiring money bail. In juvenile cases, this is typically achieved by releasing the juvenile to the custody of a parent or guardian who will ensure the appearance at the scheduled court date. This option directly reflects the idea of release based on a personal pledge rather than payment. Detention until the next court date involves confinement, which is not recognizance. Releasing after posting bail relies on money, not a personal promise. Electronic monitoring is a separate supervision condition, not the act of releasing on recognizance.

Personal recognizance means releasing someone on their own promise to appear in court, without requiring money bail. In juvenile cases, this is typically achieved by releasing the juvenile to the custody of a parent or guardian who will ensure the appearance at the scheduled court date. This option directly reflects the idea of release based on a personal pledge rather than payment. Detention until the next court date involves confinement, which is not recognizance. Releasing after posting bail relies on money, not a personal promise. Electronic monitoring is a separate supervision condition, not the act of releasing on recognizance.