Contributing to delinquency – Penalty – Jurisdiction of court

(a) (A) A person under eighteen (18) years of age. See Tennessee Code 37-1-102Defendant: In a civil suit, the person complained against; in a criminal case, the person accused of the crime.Delinquent act: means an act designated a crime under the law, including local ordinances of this state, or of another state if the act occurred in that state, or under federal law, and the crime is not a status offense under subdivision (b)(32)(C) and the crime is not a traffic offense as defined in the traffic code of the state other than failing to stop when involved in an accident pursuant to §. See Tennessee Code 37-1-102Delinquent child: means a child who has committed a delinquent act and is in need of treatment or rehabilitation. See Tennessee Code 37-1-102Grand jury: agreement providing that a lender will delay exercising its rights (in the case of a mortgage,Guardian: A person legally empowered and charged with the duty of taking care of and managing the property of another person who because of age, intellect, or health, is incapable of managing his (her) own affairs.Indictment: The formal charge issued by a grand jury stating that there is enough evidence that the defendant committed the crime to justify having a trial; it is used primarily for felonies.Juvenile court: means the general sessions court in all counties of this state, except in those counties and municipalities in which special juvenile courts are provided by law, and "judge" means judge of the juvenile court. See Tennessee Code 37-1-102Person: includes a corporation, firm, company or association. See Tennessee Code 1-3-105Plea: In a criminal case, the defendant's statement pleading "guilty" or "not guilty" in answer to the charges, a declaration made in open court.Property: includes both personal and real property. See Tennessee Code 1-3-105Trial: A hearing that takes place when the defendant pleads "not guilty" and witnesses are required to come to court to give evidence.(1) Any adult who contributes to or encourages the delinquency or unruly behavior of a child, whether by aiding or abetting or encouraging the child in the commission of an act of delinquency or unruly conduct or by participating as a principal with the child in an act of delinquency, unruly conduct or by aiding the child in concealing an act of delinquency or unruly conduct following its commission, commits a Class A misdemeanor, triable in the circuit or criminal court. (2) An adult convicted of a violation of this section shall be sentenced to the county jail or workhouse to serve one hundred percent (100%) of the maximum authorized sentence for a Class A misdemeanor if: (A) The adult’s conduct constituting a violation of this section involves supplying, giving, furnishing, selling, or permitting a child to buy or obtain, a product or substance that is unlawful for the child to possess; and (B) As a proximate result of the product or substance, the child engages in conduct that causes the death of another. (b) When any juvenile judge shall have reasonable ground to believe that any person is guilty of having contributed to the delinquency or unruly conduct of a child, such judge shall cause the person to be arrested and brought before such judge. In such case, when the defendant pleads not guilty, the juvenile court judge has the power to bind the defendant over to the grand jury or to proceed to hear the case on its merits without the intervention of a jury if the defendant requests the hearing in juvenile court and expressly waives in writing an indictment, presentment, grand jury investigation and jury trial. In the event the defendant enters a plea of guilty, the juvenile court judge has the same power as the circuit or criminal court in making final disposition of the case. (c) (1) If a child is found delinquent a second or subsequent time for conduct that constitutes the offense of vandalism under § 39-14-408, and the property vandalized is owned, operated, maintained or used by a governmental or other public entity, the parent or legal guardian of that child is in violation of this section. (2) It is a defense to a violation of this subsection (c) if the parent or guardian demonstrates to the court that all reasonable means available were taken to prevent the child from engaging in the prohibited conduct. (3) In lieu of the punishment prescribed in subsection (a), if the court finds that the parent or guardian of the delinquent child is in violation of this subsection (c), it may order the parent or guardian to repair, repaint, clean, refurbish or replace the property damaged as a result of the vandalism. If the damage does not lend itself to repair or cleaning, or if there is a legitimate reason why the parent or guardian is unable to do so, the court, in its discretion, may allow the parent or guardian to pay to have the damage repaired or replaced. If the parent or guardian is indigent and cannot afford to replace the damaged property, the court shall order the ind