41-5-349. Youth not to be detained in jail -- exceptions -- time limitations. (1) A youth may not be detained or otherwise placed in a jail or other adult detention facility except as provided in 41-5-206 and this section.
     (2) A youth who has allegedly committed an offense that if committed by an adult would constitute a criminal offense may be temporarily detained in a jail or other adult detention facility for a period not to exceed:
     (a) 6 hours, but in no case overnight, for the purpose of identification, processing, or transfer of the youth to an appropriate detention facility or shelter care facility; or
     (b) 24 hours, excluding weekends and legal holidays, if the youth is awaiting a probable cause hearing pursuant to 41-5-332.
     (3) The exception provided for in subsection (2)(b) applies only if:
     (a) the court having jurisdiction over the youth is outside a metropolitan statistical area;
     (b) alternative facilities are not available or alternative facilities do not provide adequate security; and
     (c) the youth is kept in an area that provides physical as well as sight and sound separation from adults accused or convicted of criminal offenses.
     (4) Whenever, despite all good faith efforts to comply with the time limitations specified in subsection (2), the limitations are exceeded, this circumstance does not serve as grounds for dismissal of the case nor does this circumstance constitute a defense in a subsequent delinquency or criminal proceeding.

     History: En. Sec. 1, Ch. 547, L. 1991; amd. Sec. 49, Ch. 18, L. 1995; amd. Sec. 23, Ch. 286, L. 1997; Sec. 41-5-311, MCA 1995; redes. 41-5-349 by Sec. 47, Ch. 286, L. 1997.