Title 14 Children

14-6-224. Conduct of hearings generally; exclusion of

general public and child; exceptions; consolidations permitted. (a) Unless a jury trial is demanded, hearings under this act shall be conducted by the court without a jury in an informal but orderly manner and separate from other proceedings not included in W.S. 14-6-203. The district attorney shall present evidence in support of the petition and otherwise represent the state. If the allegations in the petition are denied, adjudicatory and disposition hearings shall be recorded by the court reporter or by electronic, mechanical or other appropriate means. (b) Except in hearings to declare a person in contempt of court, the general public are excluded from hearings under this act. Only the parties, counsel for the parties, jurors, witnesses, victims and members of their immediate families and other persons the court finds having a proper interest in the proceedings or in the work of the court shall be admitted. If the court finds it necessary in the best interest of the child, the child may be temporarily excluded from any hearing except while evidence is being received at an adjudicatory hearing in support of the allegations of his delinquency. (c) Hearings on two (2) or more petitions may be consolidated for purposes of adjudication when the allegations in the petitions pertain to the same act or offense constituting the alleged delinquency. Separate hearings on the petitions may be held thereafter for purposes of disposition. (d) Repealed by Laws 2004, Ch. 127, § 3.