(a) (1) Mechanical restraints, including, but not limited to, handcuffs, chains, irons, straitjackets or cloth or leather restraints, or other similar items, may be used on a juvenile detained in or committed to a local secure juvenile facility, camp, ranch, or forestry camp, as established pursuant to Sections 850 and 881, during transportation outside of the facility only upon a determination made by the probation department, in consultation with the transporting agency, that the mechanical restraints are necessary to prevent physical harm to the juvenile or another person or due to a substantial risk of flight.
(2) If a determination is made that mechanical restraints are necessary, the least restrictive form of restraint shall be used consistent with the legitimate security needs of each juvenile.
(3) A county probation department that chooses to use mechanical restraints other than handcuffs on juveniles shall establish procedures for the documentation of their use, including the reasons for the use of those mechanical restraints.
(4) This subdivision does not apply to mechanical restraints used by medical care providers in the course of medical care or transportation.
(b) (1) Mechanical restraints may only be used during a juvenile court proceeding if the court determines that the individual juvenile’s behavior in custody or in court establishes a manifest need to use mechanical restraints to prevent physical harm to the juvenile or another person or due to a substantial risk of flight.
(2) The burden to establish the need for mechanical restraints pursuant to paragraph (1) is on the prosecution.
(3) If the court determines that mechanical restraints are necessary, the least restrictive form of restraint shall be used and the reasons for the use of mechanical restraints shall be documented in the record.
(Added by Stats. 2017, Ch. 660, Sec. 1. (AB 878) Effective January 1, 2018.)
Last modified: October 25, 2018