N.Y. Family Court Act § 162-a: Use of restraints on children in courtrooms

§ 162-a. Use of restraints on children in courtrooms. (a) Use of

restraints. Except as otherwise provided in subdivision (b) of this

section, restraints on children under the age of twenty-one, including,

but not limited to, handcuffs, chains, shackles, irons or straitjackets,

are prohibited in the courtroom.

(b) Exception. Permissible physical restraint consisting of handcuffs

or footcuffs that shall not be joined to each other may be used in the

courtroom during a proceeding before the court only if the court

determines on the record, after providing the child with an opportunity

to be heard, why such restraint is the least restrictive alternative

necessary to prevent:

(1) physical injury to the child or another person by the child;

(2) physically disruptive courtroom behavior by the child, as

evidenced by a recent history of behavior that presented a substantial

risk of physical harm to the child or another person, where such

behavior indicates a substantial likelihood of current physically

disruptive courtroom behavior by the child; or

(3) flight from the courtroom by the child, as evidenced by a recent

history of absconding from the court.