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Rule 943.Use of Restraints on a Minor in Delinquency Proceedings Arising Under the Juvenile Court Act

Article IX. Child Custody or Allocation of Parental Responsibilities Proceedings · Part C. Child Custody Proceedings Under Articles II, III and IV of the Juvenile Court Act of 1987 · Last amended 2016 · Last verified July 20, 2026

In one sentenceRule 943 bars shackling or handcuffing a minor during a delinquency court proceeding unless the court finds, after a hearing, that restraints are necessary and no less restrictive option would work.

Full Text of Ill. S. Ct. R. 943

Text sizeJump to: (a) (b) (c) (d)

(a) Instruments of restraint shall not be used on a minor during a court proceeding unless the court finds, after a hearing, that the use of restraints is necessary for one or more of the following reasons:
(1) Instruments of restraint are necessary to prevent physical harm to the minor or another person; or
(2) The minor has a history of disruptive behavior that has placed others in potentially harmful situations or presents a substantial risk of inflicting physical harm on himself or herself or others as evidenced by recent behavior; or
(3) There is a well-founded belief that the minor presents a substantial risk of flight from the courtroom;
and there are no less restrictive alternatives to restraints that will prevent flight or physical harm to the minor or another person, including, but not limited to, the presence of court personnel, law enforcement officers, or bailiffs.
(b) The court must provide the minor’s attorney an opportunity to be heard before the court orders the use of restraints. If restraints are ordered, the court shall enter an order setting forth its findings of fact.
(c) Any restraints authorized under this rule must be the least restrictive restraints necessary and must allow the minor limited movement of the hands to read and handle documents and writings necessary to the hearing. Under no circumstances, should a minor be restrained to another minor, wall, the floor, or furniture while in the courtroom.
(d) For purposes of this rule:
(1) “Instruments of restraint” and “restraints” are handcuffs, leg shackles, leg irons, belly belts, belly chains, or other restraint devices used to restrict a minor’s free movement of limbs or appendages, including those made of cloth and leather; and
(2) A “minor” is an individual under the jurisdiction of the juvenile court, as provided in Article V of the Illinois Juvenile Court Act.
End

Plain-English Summary

Rule 943 sets limits on using handcuffs, leg shackles, belly chains, and similar devices on a minor appearing in juvenile delinquency proceedings. Restraints cannot be used by default — a court must hold a hearing first and find that at least one of three things is true: restraints are necessary to prevent harm to the minor or someone else, the minor’s recent behavior shows a real risk of harm, or there is a well-founded belief the minor presents a substantial flight risk. Even then, the court must find that no less restrictive option — extra court personnel, a bailiff, a law enforcement officer — would do the job.

The minor’s attorney gets a chance to be heard before the court orders restraints, and if the court orders them, it has to enter written findings explaining why. Any restraints used have to be the least restrictive available, and they must still let the minor move their hands enough to read documents and take part in the hearing. Restraining a minor to another minor, a wall, the floor, or furniture is off the table entirely.

The rule does not take away a court’s authority to manage its own courtroom if a minor becomes disruptive during the proceeding.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a minor be handcuffed during a juvenile court hearing?
Only if the court holds a hearing first and finds restraints necessary for one of the reasons Rule 943 lists, and finds that no less restrictive alternative would work.
Does my child’s attorney get a say before restraints are ordered?
Yes. The court must give the minor’s attorney an opportunity to be heard before ordering restraints.
What counts as a restraint under this rule?
Handcuffs, leg shackles, leg irons, belly belts, belly chains, and other devices, including cloth or leather ones, that restrict a minor’s free movement.
Can a minor be shackled to a chair or another minor in the courtroom?
No. The rule flatly prohibits restraining a minor to another minor, a wall, the floor, or furniture.
Can a minor still write or hold documents while restrained?
Yes. Any restraints used must allow the minor limited movement of the hands to read and handle documents needed for the hearing.

Committee Comments

(Oct. 6, 2016)

This rule is not intended to limit the court’s inherent authority to control its courtroom and/or ensure the integrity of the proceedings are maintained in the event of disruptive behavior by the minor during the proceedings.

Amendment History

Adopted Oct. 6, 2016; eff. Nov. 1, 2016.

Source & verification. Rule text, official Committee Comments, and amendment history are reproduced verbatim from the Illinois Supreme Court Rules, promulgated by the Supreme Court of Illinois. Last verified July 20, 2026. · Official source
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