The juvenile court system has different rules, procedures, and objectives than the adult system. In Juvenile Court, cases are tried by a judge, not a jury. However, the same rules of evidence that apply in adult court apply in juvenile court. In cases where it is alleged that a minor has committed a criminal offence or that he is absent or uncontrollable, the prosecution must prove that the charge is true by means of evidence beyond of any reasonable doubt.
In cases where a child has been abused or neglected by a parent or when the child is a dependent child, the prosecution must prove that the charges are true by a preponderance of the evidence, meaning that the charge is more likely to be true than false. Unlike criminal proceedings for adults, juvenile court hearings are often held behind closed doors and, in some states, records remain confidential, protecting children from stigma and collateral consequences when their records are available to the public. However, criminal records of minors are increasingly accessible and, in most jurisdictions, are not automatically sealed or erased when the young person becomes an adult. This creates barriers to obtaining employment, serving in the military, or enrolling in higher education programs.
Adult court hearings are open to the public. Juvenile court hearings, on the other hand, are closed to ensure privacy and involve only the child, their family, attorneys and relevant personnel. When it comes to wrongful conduct, the California court system consists of courts for adults and minors. There are significant differences between the two.
Juvenile courts deal with matters involving children under 18 years of age. Conversely, adult courts generally handle cases involving people 18 years of age or older. In addition, minors do not have the same rights as adults, and children are subject to different sanctions focused on rehabilitation and not on remuneration. The primary goal of the juvenile justice system is to help young people make better decisions in the future. This system is designed to provide more support than the adult system, which often focuses on holding people to account for their actions.
Juvenile courts tend to focus on helping young offenders understand the consequences of their actions and teaching them ways to stay out of trouble. This is done through programs and services designed to guide young people in a positive direction. By comparison, juvenile sentences are often much shorter than adult sentences, and focus on rehabilitation rather than punishment. A juvenile defense attorney can ensure that the court treats a minor fairly and help you seek alternative solutions, such as probation or community service. In the juvenile system, a prosecutor must not prove criminal intent; they must only prove that a minor committed the crime.
This is often referred to as “provoking or allowing an act,” and that's why a child defense attorney is so important when it comes to the court system. The current juvenile justice system still maintains rehabilitation as its primary objective and distinguishes itself from the criminal justice system in an important way. Minors may be placed in juvenile detention centers for a period of time, usually several months or less, as determined by a judge. Because of these different rules and rights, it's critical that you consult with a child defense attorney. Sentences in adult courts often include prison sentences and, once an adult is found guilty, they may face serious long-term consequences, such as having a criminal record that accompanies them throughout their lives.
During the transfer hearing, the judge will consider several factors to determine if an adult court is the most appropriate forum for the case. When a child is 16 or 17 years old and has been charged with murder, robbery, kidnapping, or rape, the prosecutor may request that the case be transferred to adult court. The benefit of successfully completing the program is that you won't have to go through the court system for the incident. Your criminal defense attorney should know that, when handling juvenile cases, there is more than just the client to interact with.
The Juvenile Code allows the County Attorney's Office to request the presentation of any minor who, because he is routinely misguided or disobedient, is not controlled by his parents, guardians or guardians; who deports himself to seriously harm or endanger his or her morals or health or that of others; or who is routinely absent from home or school. The County Attorney's Office cannot guarantee that the court will order the amount of the refund requested or that the minor will pay it. The Juvenile Law Center works to achieve a world that affirms the unique and distinctive qualities of young people from a developmental perspective, guarantees fair and equitable treatment, and guarantees opportunities for successful adulthood. The language used in the juvenile justice system is less harsh because the goal is to guide young people instead of labeling them as criminals. The possible outcomes for people found guilty in adult court or responsible in juvenile court will be different. The juvenile court ensures that matters relating to minors are treated appropriately and strives to achieve rehabilitation rather than strict punishment.
Many criminal defense attorneys rarely handle juvenile cases and handle them as an adult case, which can be to the detriment of the minor. An experienced attorney can help guide the family through the process, ensuring that the child's best interests are protected at every stage of the case.
