Which statement about minors seeking deferred disposition is true?

• A. A minor may request deferred disposition without appearing in court.
• B. A minor may request deferred disposition but does not need to appear in court.
• C. A minor must appear in open court with a parent or guardian when requesting deferred disposition.
• D. Deferred disposition is available to all defendants regardless of age.

Answer: (C)

Minors seeking deferred disposition must appear in open court with a parent or guardian because the process requires the presence of a responsible adult to oversee the minor’s understanding of the terms and to provide consent and support for compliance. The judge needs to verify the minor’s situation and ensure that a guardian is involved in agreeing to and supervising the conditions attached to deferred disposition. This safeguards the minor’s rights and helps ensure the terms are understood and realistically completed.

This is why the statement about a minor needing to appear with a parent or guardian in open court is the true one. The other ideas don’t fit: a minor isn’t able to request deferred disposition without appearing in court, it isn’t universally available to all defendants regardless of age, and eligibility for deferred disposition is not guaranteed for every case or offender.