1. (a) Whenever the Superior Court is in receipt of any written complaint filed by any person, any public or private agency or any federal, state, city or town department maintaining that a child's conduct constitutes delinquency within the meaning of section 46b-120, it shall make a preliminary investigation to determine whether the facts, if true, would be sufficient to be a juvenile matter and whether the interests of the public or the child require that further action be taken. If so, the court may authorize the filing of a verified petition of alleged delinquency or it may make without such petition whatever nonjudicial disposition is practicable, including the ordering of such child to do work of which he is capable in public buildings or on public property, particularly in cases in which the complaint alleges that the conduct of such child resulted in the wilful destruction of property, provided the facts establishing jurisdiction are admitted and that a competent acceptance of such a disposition has been given by the child and his parent or guardian. If a nonjudicial disposition is made, the term of any nonjudicial supervision shall be established by the juvenile probation supervisor or designee provided such period of supervision shall not exceed one hundred eighty days. Each verified petition of delinquency filed by the court shall set forth plainly (1) the facts which bring the child within the jurisdiction of the court, (2) the name, date of birth, sex and residence of the child, (3) the names and residence of his parent or parents, guardian or other person having control of the child, and (4) a prayer for appropriate action by the court in conformity with the provisions of this chapter.

2. (b) Upon the filing of a delinquency petition, the court may, either forthwith or after investigation, cause a summons, which summons shall have a copy of said verified petition attached thereto, signed by the judge or by the clerk or assistant clerk of such court, to be issued, requiring the child and the parent or parents, guardian or other person having control of the child to appear in court at the time and place therein specified. Whenever it appears to the judge that orders addressed to an adult, as set forth in section 46b-121, are necessary for the welfare of such child, a similar summons shall be issued and served upon such adult if such adult is not already in court. Service of summons, together with a copy of the verified petition, may be made by any one of the following methods:

   1. (1) By the delivery of a true and attested copy thereof to the person summoned, or at such person's usual place of abode; (2) by restricted delivery addressed to the person summoned, return receipt requested; or (3) by first class mail addressed to the person summoned. Any notice sent by first class mail shall include a provision informing the party that appearance in court as a result of the notice may subject the appearing party to the jurisdiction of the court. If service is made by first class mail and the party does not appear, no order may be entered by the court in the case. If, after reasonable effort, personal service has not been made, such substitute service, by publication or otherwise, as the judge may order, shall be sufficient. Service may be made by any officer authorized by law to serve process, or by a probation officer, probation aide or indifferent person, and the court may allow suitable expenses and a reasonable fee therefor. The court may punish for contempt, as provided in section 46b-121, any parent, guardian or other person so summoned who fails to appear in court at the time and place so specified.

See Sec. 46b-142 re venue and appeals in juvenile matters.

(1949 Rev., S. 2807; 1967, P.A. 630, S. 6; 1969, P.A. 794, S. 6; P.A. 75-157; 75-226, S. 1; P.A. 76-436, S. 15, 681; P.A. 95-225, S. 14; P.A. 00-196, S. 27; P.A. 18-31, S. 32.)

History: 1967 act added requirement that copy of petition be served with the summons; 1969 act applied provisions to delinquent children only where previously applicable to “uncared-for, neglected, dependent or delinquent” children, added provisions re nonjudicial disposition of child and re contents of petition of delinquency and authorized service of summons at person's usual place of abode; P.A. 75-157 authorized probation aides to serve summons; P.A. 75-226 allowed court to order child to do work in public buildings or on public property in cases where complaint alleges that child's conduct resulted in wilful destruction of property; P.A. 76-436 made changes in wording to reflect transfer of juvenile court powers to superior court, effective July 1, 1978; Sec. 17-61 temporarily renumbered as Sec. 51-309 and ultimately transferred to Sec. 46b-128 in 1979, and references to other sections within provisions revised as necessary by the Revisors to reflect their transfer; P.A. 95-225 inserted Subsec. indicators, amended Subsec. (a) to delete the provision that prohibited nonjudicial supervision being continued beyond three months unless reviewed and extended by the judge or the supervising officer's administrative superior and with the continuing acceptance of such action by the child and his parent or guardian and add the provision that if a nonjudicial disposition is made, the term of nonjudicial supervision shall be established by the juvenile probation supervisor and shall not exceed 180 days and amended Subsec. (b) to authorize service of the summons and copy of the verified petition to be made by restricted delivery addressed to the person summoned, return receipt requested, or by first class mail addressed to the person summoned, require any notice sent by first class mail to inform the party that appearance in court as a result of the notice may subject the appearing party to the jurisdiction of the court, prohibit an order being entered in the case if service is by first class mail and the party does not appear, and authorize the court to punish for contempt any parent, guardian or other person so summoned who fails to appear in court at the time and place so specified; P.A. 00-196 made technical changes in Subsec. (b); P.A. 18-31 amended Subsec. (a) to add reference to juvenile probation supervisor's designee, effective July 1, 2018.