Juvenile Justice
Jan 01, 2016
Juvenile Justice
juvenilePersons under the age of 17
Why we have separate juvenile courts
1) Juveniles may not be fully aware or responsible for their
actions
2) Juveniles may need to be protected instead of punished
3) Juveniles should not be judged/sentenced like adults
What is the difference between a delinquent teen and an unruly one?
Delinquent behavior• Any act that would a
criminal offense if committed by an adult
Unruly behavior (status offense)• An act that would not be a
crime if committed by an adult• Attend school
• Don’t run away from
home
• Obey your parents
• Midnight curfew
Rights of Juveniles
-Juveniles have the same rights as adults convicted of a crime
-Juveniles have some additional rights
1) Right to a private trial
-also no names or photos published
if first offense
2) Right to have a parent present in all hearings
Jurisdiction
1) Juvenile Delinquents
2) Unruly Juveniles
3) Deprived Juveniles
-youth under 18 who are
neglected or abused
Juvenile Procedure
Taking into Custody
1) Legal authorities apprehend the juvenile
2) Parents are notified
3) Juvenile court releases them to their parents or sends them
to YDC (youth detention center)
Intake Decision
1) Juvenile court officer investigates charges and juvenile’s family situation
2) Results of the investigation determine the course of action
1) No further action
2) Informal adjustment
3) Filing a petition for a formal hearing
Formal Hearing
1) Juvenile and parents are issued a summons to appear in
juvenile court
2) The juvenile may be represented by an attorney
3) Juvenile court judge conducts the hearing
A Formal Hearing has Two Parts
Adjudication-like a trial, this hearing is to determine whether a
juvenile is guilty or not
Dispositional-similar to sentencing in adult court
-probation
-YDC
-transfer to Superior court
7 deadly sins- There are seven delinquent behaviors for which a child (13 or
older) can be tried as an adult
• Murder-premeditated killing• Voluntary manslaughter-killing someone by a sudden violent
passion• Armed robbery (with a firearm)• Rape*• Aggravated sexual battery*• Aggravated child molestation*• Aggravated sodomy*
*forced sexual acts committed without consent on unwilling or underage victims
7 deadly sins
• If you are accused of one of these crimes your case is transferred to a superior court.• Superior court decides whether to send the case back to juvenile
court (not likely)
• Possible consequences are much like adults, and could be as bad as life in prison• No death penalty for children