| Juvenile law deals with crimes committed by minors. | | | | them. If after the case is tried in court the juvenile is |
| The age limit to be considered a juvenile offender | | | | determined to be guilty, he or she is adjudicated. |
| may differ from state to state, but is typically | | | | Adjudication vs. Conviction |
| around age 17. Generally, the offender must have | | | | Traditionally, in juvenile criminal cases the focus has |
| been under the age of 18 when the crime was | | | | been on reform rather than punishment. Because of |
| committed to be considered a juvenile. If your child | | | | this, prison sentences have typically been shorter |
| or someone you know is being accused of a crime, | | | | than they are for adults committing comparable |
| the following information can help you understand the | | | | crimes. |
| basics of the juvenile law process. | | | | Unlike a conviction, a juvenile court adjudication stays |
| Prosecution | | | | off the child's record as far as job applications go. |
| When a juvenile crime is reported, parents are | | | | Most states require that adjudicated juveniles be |
| contacted, and a hearing is scheduled. After the case | | | | released from custody upon turning 18. |
| is deemed worthy of prosecution, a court date is | | | | The landscape of juvenile law is starting to change |
| scheduled. Depending on the nature of the crime and | | | | somewhat in many states. More juveniles are being |
| many other factors, the child can be detained or | | | | treated in adult courts, especially in very serious |
| released into the custody of their parents or | | | | cases. Additionally, the emphasis is starting to shift a |
| guardians until the court date. | | | | bit from reform to punishment. Make sure you speak |
| Juveniles have the same constitutional rights as | | | | with a qualified attorney in your area who can explain |
| adults. These rights include the right to remain silent, | | | | the way juvenile court works in your particular |
| the right to have an attorney present, the right to | | | | municipality. |
| cross-examine any witnesses speaking against them | | | | Some types of adjudication made in juvenile cases |
| and so on. | | | | include: |
| In juvenile cases, as in adult cases, the police are | | | | Fines or restitution |
| obligated to inform suspects of these rights. In many | | | | Community service |
| states, social workers or counselors are also assigned | | | | Probation |
| to criminal cases involving minors as defendants. | | | | Juvenile detention (jail) |
| Crimes committed by children, ranging from traffic | | | | If there is even the slightest suspicion in the minds of |
| violations and petty theft to more serious crimes | | | | the parents that their child may have committed the |
| such as rape or murder are prosecuted by city, state | | | | crime in question, it is crucial to hire a good defense |
| or federal agencies. Court proceedings tend to be a | | | | attorney. If the juvenile is found to be guilty by a |
| bit more informal than the typical adult prosecution. In | | | | court of law, a good lawyer that is well versed in |
| most states, court records in juvenile cases are | | | | these types of cases can be instrumental in |
| sealed so that no one from the public can access | | | | negotiating a less severe punishment. |