What must happen if a juvenile summons remains unserved after 30 days?

When a juvenile summons remains unserved after 30 days, it must be returned to the clerk of court. This requirement is in place to ensure that legal processes involving juveniles are handled appropriately and transparently. The return of the summons to the clerk allows the court to maintain accurate records and enables further decisions regarding the case to be made.

Having the summons returned rather than simply discarded or reissued ensures that the court is aware of any potential issues in serving the summons, such as difficulties locating the juvenile or other procedural delays. This helps to uphold the integrity of the judicial process and ensures that juveniles are afforded their rights under the law.