What is the difference between adult and juvenile court?

Answer 1

Juvenile court is very different than normal adult court. For starters, juveniles are not actually accused of crimes. They are found to be delinquent. This is a civil status, not a criminal prosecution. Normally all files and the actual courtroom are closed to the public (whereas most other courts are public record.) Procedurally, the trial follows a similar pattern (opening statements, state's case, defense's case, closing) and both sides are held to the same rules of evidence. However, the judge may play a more active role than in an adult criminal trial and juries are rarely used.

If a juvenile is found to be delinquent (not guilty) he/she is sentenced by the judge. Typically, the court has wide discretion and a variety of options available, rather than just confinement. The court may order that the juvenile be placed in an alternative program where he/she would be taught life skills and earn their high school diploma or GED. The court typically has a variety of programs and classes to choose from. Confinement periods are typically very short and used only in the most serious cases.

Once a juvenile reaches the age of adulthood, his/her juvenile record is or can be sealed. The juvenile record generally cannot be used against him/her in a later criminal charge.

Answer 2

Juveniles (supposedly) lack the maturity to understand the wrongness of their actions. Hence, punishment is lighter, so they are educated in consequences without having their life unduly ruined by a simple mistake.

Answer 3

An adult court is a court of law where adults can be tried and if convicted, face adult punishment such as probation, an adult prison, or the death penalty. If a crime is serious enough a juvenile can be tried and convicted as an adult, and face the same type of penalties as adults, except the death penalty. Juvenile court, often known as family court in many states, handle juvenile cases only, where children can face punishments ranging from juvenile probation to a juvenile prison (often called a reform school or reformatory) for a term of up to the juvenile's 21st Birthday.

Answer 4

They are usually conducted in a much less formal atmosphere - the juvenile is referred to as a "respondant" instead of as an "arrestee" or a "defendant." The punishments are usually less severe, and are designed to rehabilitate and 'educate' the juvenile rather than punish them. CAUTION: Not all jurisdictions treat juvenile offenders in this manner.

Answer 5

Juvenile courts have jurisdiction until a child is up to 21 years old, however, most juvenile courts relinquish that at the juveniles 18 birthday, unless said juvenile is a repeat offender or a violent offender, R.E. Vickie Cook Ark, JDJ... Most juvenile records are sealed at age 18. Outside of emancipation, those under age 18 are subject to the juvenile justice system. Those individuals over the age of 18 are inherently subject to the jurisdiction of said county, state district attorney in adult court, therefore subject to adult penalties under offended statutes in said state.

Answer 6

Juveniles are not placed on trial pe se. A juvenile defendant appears before a judge at what is usually termed a hearing. The judge reviews all the facts of the case, including but not limited to previous problems the juvenile may have had with the law, school, home environment, and so forth.

There is no jury present although the juvenile does have legal representatiion and the judge singularly decides what punishment if any should be given to juvenile offenders.

Answer 7

Adult courts handle adult cases. Juveniles who are tried in adult courts face the same adult penalties as adults do.