Skip to main content
Find a Lawyer

Indiana Code Title 31. Family Law and Juvenile Law § 31-37-19-6

Current as of January 01, 2026 | Updated by Findlaw Staff

Sec. 6. (a) This section applies if a child is a delinquent child under IC 31-37-1.

(b) Except as provided in section 10 of this chapter and subject to section 6.5 of this chapter, the juvenile court may:

(1) enter any dispositional decree specified in section 5 of this chapter;  and

(2) take any of the following actions:

(A) Award wardship to:

(i) the department of correction for housing in a correctional facility for children;  or

(ii) a community based correctional facility for children.

Wardship under this subdivision does not include the right to consent to the child's adoption.

(B) If the child is less than seventeen (17) years of age, order confinement in a juvenile detention facility for not more than the lesser of:

(i) ninety (90) days;  or

(ii) the maximum term of imprisonment that could have been imposed on the child if the child had been convicted as an adult offender for the act that the child committed under IC 31-37-1 (or IC 31-6-4-1(b)(1) before its repeal).

(C) If the child is at least seventeen (17) years of age, order confinement in a juvenile detention facility for not more than the lesser of:

(i) one hundred twenty (120) days;  or

(ii) the maximum term of imprisonment that could have been imposed on the child if the child had been convicted as an adult offender for the act that the child committed under IC 31-37-1 (or IC 31-6-4-1(b)(1) before its repeal).

(D) Remove the child from the child's home and place the child in another home or shelter care facility.  Placement under this subdivision includes authorization to control and discipline the child.

(E) Award wardship to a:

(i) person, other than the department;  or

(ii) shelter care facility.

Wardship under this subdivision does not include the right to consent to the child's adoption.

(F) Place the child in a secure private facility for children licensed under the laws of a state.  Placement under this subdivision includes authorization to control and discipline the child.

(G) Order a person who is a respondent in a proceeding under IC 31-37-16 (before its repeal) or IC 34-26-5 to refrain from direct or indirect contact with the child.

(c) If a dispositional decree under this section:

(1) orders or approves removal of a child from the child's home, or awards wardship of the child to a:

(A) person, other than the department;  or

(B) shelter care facility;  and

(2) is the first court order in the delinquent child proceeding that authorizes or approves removal of the child from the child's parent, guardian, or custodian;

the juvenile court shall include in the decree the appropriate findings and conclusions described in IC 31-37-6-6(g) and  IC 31-37-6-6(h).

Previous Part of Code Next Part of Code
Back to Chapter List

Cite this article: FindLaw.com - Indiana Code Title 31. Family Law and Juvenile Law § 31-37-19-6 - last updated January 01, 2026 | https://codes.findlaw.com/in/title-31-family-law-and-juvenile-law/in-code-sect-31-37-19-6/

FindLaw Codes may not reflect the most recent version of the law in your jurisdiction. Please verify the status of the code you are researching with the state legislature before relying on it for your legal needs.

Was this helpful?

Welcome to FindLaw's Cases & Codes

A free source of state and federal court opinions, state laws, and the United States Code. For more information about the legal concepts addressed by these cases and statutes, visit FindLaw’s Learn About the Law.

Go to Learn About the Law

Latest Blog Posts

For Legal Professionals

Learn About The Law

Get help with your legal needs

FindLaw’s Learn About the Law features thousands of informational articles to help you understand your options. And if you’re ready to hire an attorney, find one in your area who can help.

Go to Learn About the Law

Need to Find an Attorney?

Search our directory by legal issue

Enter information in one or both fields (Required)

Copied to clipboard