Ind. Code ch. 31-30-1

Ind. Code ch. 31-30-1
in effect

Ind. Code § 31-30-1-0.1 Application of certain amendments to chapter

Sec. 0.1. The following amendments to this chapter apply as follows: (1) The amendments made to section 1(a) of this chapter by P.L.217-2001 apply to all proceedings pending under IC 31-34 on July 1, 2001, and to all proceedings commenced under IC 31-34 after June 30, 2001. (2) The amendments made to section 2.5 of this chapter by P.L.131-2009 apply to proceedings pending on or initiated on or after May 12, 2009. As added by P.L.220-2011, SEC.508. Amended by P.L.115-2023, SEC.5.

Ind. Code § 31-30-1-0.3 Transfer of guardianship matters to juvenile court

Sec. 0.3. On July 1, 2001, all guardianship of the person matters: (1) that are pending in a court other than a juvenile court; and (2) over which a juvenile court has exclusive original jurisdiction under this chapter, as amended by P.L.217-2001; shall be transferred to the juvenile court. A matter transferred under this section shall be treated as if it were originally filed in the juvenile court. As added by P.L.220-2011, SEC.510.

Ind. Code § 31-30-1-1 Exclusive original jurisdiction

Sec. 1. (a) A juvenile court has exclusive original jurisdiction, except as provided in sections 9, 10, 12, and 13 of this chapter, in the following: (1) Proceedings in which a child, including a child of divorced parents, is alleged to be a delinquent child under IC 31-37. (2) Proceedings in which a child, including a child of divorced parents, is alleged to be a child in need of services under IC 31-34. (3) Proceedings concerning the paternity of a child under IC 31-14. (4) Proceedings under the interstate compact on juveniles under IC 31-37-23. (5) Proceedings governing the participation of a parent, guardian, or custodian in a program of care, treatment, or rehabilitation for a child under IC 31-34-20 or IC 31-37-15. (6) Proceedings under IC 31-34-4, IC 31-34-5, IC 31-37-5, and IC 31-37-6 governing the detention of a child before a petition has been filed. (7) Proceedings to issue a protective order under IC 31-32-13. (8) Proceedings in which a child less than sixteen (16) years of age is alleged to have committed an act that would be a misdemeanor traffic offense if committed by an adult. (9) Proceedings in which a child is alleged to have committed an act that would be an offense under IC 9-30-5 if committed by an adult. (10) Guardianship of the person proceedings for a child: (A) who has been adjudicated as a child in need of services; (B) for whom a juvenile court has approved a permanency plan under IC 31-34-21-7 that provides for the appointment of a guardian of the person; and (C) who is the subject of a pending child in need of services proceeding under IC 31-34. (11) Proceedings concerning involuntary drug and alcohol treatment under IC 31-32-16. (12) Proceedings under the interstate compact for juveniles under IC 11-13-4.5-1.5. (13) Proceedings under IC 31-28-5.8. (14) Other proceedings specified by law. (b) A juvenile court has jurisdiction over a person who is at least twenty-one (21) years of age for an alleged offense: (1) committed while the person was a child; and (2) that could not have been waived under IC 31-30-3. [Pre-1997 Recodification Citation: 31-6-2-1.1(a).] As added by P.L.1-1997, SEC.13. Amended by P.L.164-1999, SEC.1; P.L.217-2001, SEC.3; P.L.196-2003, SEC.1; P.L.137-2011, SEC.6; P.L.48-2012, SEC.35; P.L.172-2022, SEC.6; P.L.115-2023, SEC.6.

Ind. Code § 31-30-1-2 Applicability of juvenile law to certain offenses

Sec. 2. Except as provided in IC 33-33-45-6 and section 8 of this chapter, the juvenile law does not apply to the following: (1) A child who is alleged to have committed a violation of a statute defining an infraction, except as provided under IC 7.1-5-7. (2) A child who is alleged to have committed a violation of an ordinance. (3) A child who: (A) is alleged to have committed an act that would be a felony if committed by an adult; and (B) has previously been waived under IC 31-30-3 (or IC 31-6-2-4 before its repeal) to a court having felony jurisdiction. [Pre-1997 Recodification Citation: 31-6-2-1.1(b).] As added by P.L.1-1997, SEC.13. Amended by P.L.98-2004, SEC.104; P.L.67-2008, SEC.1.

Ind. Code § 31-30-1-2.5 Persons prohibited from serving as guardian or custodian of a child

Sec. 2.5. A juvenile court may not appoint a person to serve as the guardian or custodian of a child or permit a person to continue to serve as a guardian or custodian of a child if the person: (1) is a sexually violent predator (as described in IC 35-38-1-7.5); (2) was at least eighteen (18) years of age at the time of the offense and committed child molesting (IC 35-42-4-3) or sexual misconduct with a minor (IC 35-42-4-9) against a child less than sixteen (16) years of age: (A) by using or threatening the use of deadly force; (B) while armed with a deadly weapon; or (C) that resulted in serious bodily injury; or (3) was less than eighteen (18) years of age at the time of the offense but was tried and convicted as an adult of an offense described in: (A) IC 35-42-4-1; (B) IC 35-42-4-2 (before its repeal); (C) IC 35-42-4-3 as a Class A or Class B felony (for crimes committed before July 1, 2014) or as a Level 1, Level 2, or Level 3 felony (for crimes committed after June 30, 2014); (D) IC 35-42-4-5(a)(1); (E) IC 35-42-4-5(a)(2); (F) IC 35-42-4-5(a)(3) (before that provision was redesignated by P.L.158-2013, SECTION 441); (G) IC 35-42-4-5(b)(1) as a Class A or Class B felony (for crimes committed before July 1, 2014) or as a Level 2, Level 3, or Level 4 felony (for crimes committed after June 30, 2014); (H) IC 35-42-4-5(b)(2); or (I) IC 35-42-4-5(b)(3) as a Class A or Class B felony (for crimes committed before July 1, 2014) or as a Level 1, Level 2, or Level 3 felony (for crimes committed after June 30, 2014). As added by P.L.139-2006, SEC.3, P.L.140-2006, SEC.18, and P.L.173-2006, SEC.18. Amended by P.L.131-2009, SEC.38; P.L.158-2013, SEC.314; P.L.214-2013, SEC.24; P.L.168-2014, SEC.39; P.L.86-2018, SEC.218; P.L.142-2020, SEC.39.

Ind. Code § 31-30-1-3 Cases involving adults charged with crimes

Sec. 3. A juvenile court has concurrent original jurisdiction in cases involving adults charged with the crime of: (1) neglect of a dependent (IC 35-46-1-4); (2) contributing to delinquency (IC 35-46-1-8); (3) violating the compulsory school attendance law IC 20-33-2); (4) criminal confinement of a child (IC 35-42-3-3); or (5) interference with custody (IC 35-42-3-4). [Pre-1997 Recodification Citation: 31-6-2-1.1(c).] As added by P.L.1-1997, SEC.13. Amended by P.L.1-2005, SEC.202.

Ind. Code § 31-30-1-4 Juvenile court lacks jurisdiction over individuals at least 16 years of age committing certain felonies; retention and transfer of jurisdiction by court having adult criminal jurisdiction; criminal court jurisdiction over adult charged with offense committed as a child

Sec. 4. (a) The juvenile court does not have jurisdiction over an individual for an alleged violation of: (1) IC 35-41-5-1(a) (attempted murder); (2) IC 35-42-1-1 (murder); (3) IC 35-42-3-2 (kidnapping); (4) IC 35-42-4-1 (rape); (5) IC 35-42-4-2 (criminal deviate conduct) (before its repeal); (6) IC 35-42-5-1 (robbery) if: (A) the robbery was committed while armed with a deadly weapon; or (B) the robbery results in bodily injury or serious bodily injury; (7) IC 35-42-5-2 (carjacking) (before its repeal); (8) IC 35-47-10 (children and firearms), if charged as a felony, unless: (A) the child is charged with a felony under IC 35-47-10-5(a)(1) and not any other provision under IC 35-47-10; (B) the felony charged under IC 35-47-10-5(a)(1) is the only felony charge pending against the child; (C) the child has not more than one (1) prior conviction or adjudication under IC 35-47-10-5 or IC 35-47-2-1.5; and (D) if the child has a prior conviction under IC 35-47-10-5 or IC 35-47-2-1.5, the conviction is a misdemeanor; or (9) any offense that may be joined under IC 35-34-1-9(a)(2) with any crime listed in this subsection; if the individual was at least sixteen (16) years of age but less than eighteen (18) years of age at the time of the alleged violation. (b) Once an individual described in subsection (a) has been charged with any offense listed in subsection (a), the court having adult criminal jurisdiction shall retain jurisdiction over the case if the individual pleads guilty to or is convicted of any offense listed in subsection (a)(1) through (a)(8). (c) If: (1) an individual described in subsection (a) is charged with one (1) or more offenses listed in subsection (a); (2) all the charges under subsection (a)(1) through (a)(8) resulted in an acquittal or were dismissed; and (3) the individual pleads guilty to or is convicted of any offense other than an offense listed in subsection (a)(1) through (a)(8); the court having adult criminal jurisdiction may withhold judgment and transfer jurisdiction to the juvenile court for adjudication and disposition. In determining whether to transfer jurisdiction to the juvenile court for adjudication and disposition, the court having adult criminal jurisdiction shall consider whether there are appropriate services available in the juvenile justice system, whether the child is amenable to rehabilitation under the juvenile justice system, and whether it is in the best interests of the safety and welfare of the community that the child be transferred to juvenile court. All orders concerning release conditions remain in effect until a juvenile court detention hearing, which must be held not later than forty-eight (48) hours, excluding Saturdays, Sundays, and legal holidays, after the order of transfer of jurisdiction. (d) A court having adult criminal jurisdiction, and not a juvenile court, has jurisdiction over a person who is at least twenty-one (21) years of age for an alleged offense: (1) committed while the person was a child; and (2) that could have been waived under IC 31-30-3. This subsection applies to a criminal proceeding for an alleged offense regardless of whether the offense was committed before, on, or after July 1, 2023, or the juvenile becomes twenty-one (21) years of age before, on, or after July 1, 2023. [Pre-1997 Recodification Citation: 31-6-2-1.1(d).] As added by P.L.1-1997, SEC.13. Amended by P.L.17-2001, SEC.7; P.L.151-2006, SEC.12; P.L.216-2007, SEC.35; P.L.67-2008, SEC.2; P.L.158-2013, SEC.315; P.L.214-2013, SEC.25; P.L.168-2014, SEC.40; P.L.84-2015, SEC.1; P.L.28-2016, SEC.1; P.L.175-2022, SEC.4; P.L.115-2023, SEC.7; P.L.148-2024, SEC.15; P.L.218-2025, SEC.7; P.L.158-2026, SEC.25.

Ind. Code § 31-30-1-5 Concurrent original jurisdiction with probate court

Sec. 5. A juvenile court has concurrent original jurisdiction with the probate court in the following proceedings: (1) Proceedings to commit children under IC 12-26. (2) Proceedings to terminate the parent-child relationship under IC 31-35. However, the juvenile court's jurisdiction is limited as described in IC 12-26-1-4. [Pre-1997 Recodification Citation: 31-6-2-1.1(e).] As added by P.L.1-1997, SEC.13.

Ind. Code § 31-30-1-6 Probate court jurisdiction over guardianship of person less than 18 years of age; additional proceedings

Sec. 6. (a) Subject to subsections (b) and (c), this article does not prohibit a probate court from exercising its jurisdiction over guardianship of a person who is less than eighteen (18) years of age. (b) If allegations in the petition for guardianship or allegations produced at guardianship proceedings indicate that the person for whom the guardianship is requested meets the definition of a child in need of services under IC 31-34-1, the probate court on its own motion or at the request of a party shall: (1) send the petition for guardianship or the record of guardianship to the department of child services; and (2) direct the department of child services to initiate an assessment to determine whether the person for whom the guardianship is requested is a child in need of services. (c) The probate court retains jurisdiction over the matter until the juvenile court authorizes the filing of a petition under IC 31-34-9. (d) If a juvenile court: (1) issues an order establishing or modifying a guardianship of a minor; and (2) requests additional proceedings regarding the guardianship of the minor; the probate court that retains jurisdiction over the case or another appropriate court shall conduct additional proceedings. [Pre-1997 Recodification Citation: 31-6-2-1.1(f).] As added by P.L.1-1997, SEC.13. Amended by P.L.145-2006, SEC.275; P.L.162-2011, SEC.40.

Ind. Code § 31-30-1-7 Juveniles tried as adults

Sec. 7. A juvenile court has concurrent original jurisdiction in cases involving individuals who are subject to prosecution under IC 14-15-10-3. [Pre-1997 Recodification Citation: 31-6-2-1.1(g).] As added by P.L.1-1997, SEC.13.

Ind. Code § 31-30-1-8 Exclusive jurisdiction of juvenile division of Marion superior court

Sec. 8. The juvenile division of the Marion superior court established under IC 33-33-49 has exclusive jurisdiction over a child who: (1) has been taken into custody in Marion County; and (2) has allegedly committed an act that would be a misdemeanor traffic offense if committed by an adult. [Pre-1997 Recodification Citation: 31-6-2-1.1(h).] As added by P.L.1-1997, SEC.13. Amended by P.L.98-2004, SEC.105.

Ind. Code § 31-30-1-9 Concurrent original jurisdiction of act that would be murder or felony by child who left Indiana; transfer following extradition

Sec. 9. (a) A court having felony jurisdiction has concurrent original jurisdiction with the juvenile court if there is probable cause to believe that: (1) a child has committed an act that would be murder or a felony if committed by an adult; (2) the child has left Indiana; and (3) the state cannot obtain jurisdiction over the child in any other lawful manner except under the proceedings authorized for the extradition of alleged felons. (b) Upon the return of any child under the criminal extradition law, the court having felony jurisdiction shall immediately transfer the child to the juvenile court under section 11 of this chapter. [Pre-1997 Recodification Citation: 31-6-2-1.5(a), (b).] As added by P.L.1-1997, SEC.13.

Ind. Code § 31-30-1-10 Paternity proceedings to enforce support

Sec. 10. A circuit court and superior court have concurrent original jurisdiction with the juvenile court, including the probate court described in IC 33-31-1-9(b), for the purpose of establishing the paternity of a child in a proceeding under: (1) IC 31-18.5; (2) IC 31-1.5 (before its repeal); or (3) IC 31-2-1 (before its repeal); to enforce a duty of support. [Pre-1997 Recodification Citation: 31-6-2-1.5(c).] As added by P.L.1-1997, SEC.13. Amended by P.L.98-2004, SEC.106; P.L.206-2015, SEC.59; P.L.84-2016, SEC.133.

Ind. Code § 31-30-1-11 Transfer from court having criminal jurisdiction; release on recognizance; detention

Sec. 11. (a) Except as provided in section 9 of this chapter, if a court having criminal jurisdiction determines that a defendant is alleged to have committed a crime before the defendant is eighteen (18) years of age, the court shall immediately transfer the case, together with certified copies of all papers, documents, and testimony, to the juvenile court. The juvenile court shall proceed as if it had received a referral under IC 31-37-8. (b) The court having criminal jurisdiction shall release the child on the child's own recognizance or to the child's parent, guardian, or custodian upon that person's written promise to bring the child before the juvenile court at a specified time. However, the court may order the child detained if the court finds probable cause to believe that the child committed an act that would be a crime if committed by an adult and that: (1) the child is unlikely to appear before the juvenile court for subsequent proceedings; (2) detention is essential to protect the child or the community; (3) the parent, guardian, or custodian: (A) cannot be located; or (B) is unable or unwilling to take custody of the child; or (4) the child has a reasonable basis for requesting that he or she not be released. If the child is detained for a reason specified by subdivision (3) or (4), the child must be detained in accordance with IC 31-37-7-1. (c) If the child is not released, the child shall be delivered to a place designated by the juvenile court. The court having criminal jurisdiction shall promptly notify the child's parent, guardian, or custodian and an intake officer of where the child is being held and the reasons for the child's detention. (d) A child transferred to the juvenile court under this section (or IC 31-6-2-2 before its repeal) may not be released on bail. [Pre-1997 Recodification Citation: 31-6-2-2.] As added by P.L.1-1997, SEC.13.

Ind. Code § 31-30-1-12 Jurisdiction of child custody, parenting time, or child support proceeding in marriage dissolution; survival of order

Sec. 12. (a) Subject to subsection (b), a court having jurisdiction under IC 31-17-2 of a child custody, parenting time, or child support proceeding in a marriage dissolution has concurrent original jurisdiction with the juvenile court for the purpose of modifying custody, parenting time, or child support of a child who is under the jurisdiction of the juvenile court because: (1) the child is the subject of a child in need of services proceeding; (2) the child is the subject of a juvenile delinquency proceeding that does not involve an act described under IC 31-37-1-2; or (3) the child is the subject of a paternity proceeding. (b) Whenever the court having child custody jurisdiction under IC 31-17-2 in a marriage dissolution modifies child custody as provided by this section, the modification is effective only when the juvenile court having jurisdiction of the child in the child in need of services proceeding or the juvenile delinquency proceeding: (1) enters an order adopting and approving the child custody modification; or (2) terminates the child in need of services proceeding, the juvenile delinquency proceeding, or the paternity proceeding. (c) If, under this section, a juvenile court: (1) modifies child custody, child support, or parenting time; and (2) terminates a child in need of services proceeding or a juvenile delinquency proceeding regarding the child; the order modifying child custody, child support, or parenting time survives the termination of the child in need of services proceeding or the juvenile delinquency proceeding until the court having concurrent original jurisdiction under subsection (a) assumes or reassumes primary jurisdiction of the case to address all issues. (d) A court that assumes or reassumes jurisdiction of a case under subsection (c) may modify child custody, child support, or parenting time in accordance with applicable modification statutes. As added by P.L.164-1999, SEC.2. Amended by P.L.162-2011, SEC.41; P.L.183-2017, SEC.28.

Ind. Code § 31-30-1-13 Jurisdiction of child custody proceeding in paternity proceeding; paternity of child; survival of order

Sec. 13. (a) Subject to subsection (c), a court having jurisdiction under IC 31-14 over establishment or modification of paternity, child custody, parenting time, or child support in a paternity proceeding has concurrent original jurisdiction with another juvenile court for the purpose of establishing or modifying paternity, custody, parenting time, or child support of a child who is under the jurisdiction of the other juvenile court because: (1) the child is the subject of a child in need of services proceeding; or (2) the child is the subject of a juvenile delinquency proceeding that does not involve an act described under IC 31-37-1-2. (b) Subject to subsection (d), a court having jurisdiction over a child who is the subject of a child in need of services proceeding or juvenile delinquency proceeding has concurrent jurisdiction with a court having jurisdiction under IC 31-14 for the purpose of establishing or modifying paternity, custody, parenting time, or child support of the child. (c) Whenever the court having child custody jurisdiction under IC 31-14 in a paternity proceeding modifies child custody as provided by this section, the modification is effective only when the juvenile court with jurisdiction over the child in need of services proceeding or juvenile delinquency proceeding: (1) enters an order adopting and approving the child custody modification; or (2) terminates the child in need of services proceeding or the juvenile delinquency proceeding. (d) If, under this section, a juvenile court: (1) establishes or modifies paternity, custody, child support, or parenting time of a child; and (2) terminates a child in need of services proceeding or a juvenile delinquency proceeding regarding the child; the order establishing or modifying paternity, custody, child support, or parenting time survives the termination of the child in need of services proceeding or the juvenile delinquency proceeding until the court having concurrent original jurisdiction under subsection (a) assumes or reassumes primary jurisdiction of the case to address all other issues. (e) A court that assumes or reassumes jurisdiction of a case under subsection (d) may modify child custody, child support, or parenting time in accordance with applicable modification statutes. As added by P.L.164-1999, SEC.3. Amended by P.L.162-2011, SEC.42; P.L.183-2017, SEC.29; P.L.66-2023, SEC.2.
Source: Open US Law by Vaquill AI (CC BY 4.0)URL: https://iga.in.gov/laws/2026/ic/titles/31Fetched: 10/17/2026