ND HB1478

Amends section 27-20-24 of the North Dakota Century Code regarding the conduct of juvenile hearings in court.

Requires juvenile hearings to be conducted without a jury, in an informal but orderly manner, and separate from other proceedings.

Mandates dismissal of petitions if hearings are not held within required time limits or approved extensions.

Requires all proceedings (except informal adjustments) to be recorded by stenographic notes or electronic/mechanical means.

Makes hearings open to the public only when declaring contempt of court or considering petitions for certain specified offenses; general public excluded from other juvenile hearings except for parties, counsel, witnesses, victims, and others with proper interest in proceedings.