Question

Please answer the following questions with a minimum of 150 words. What are some major differences between the juvenile courts and the criminal courts? What are some principal components of the juvenile justice system? Why do some refer to this as a process rather than a system?

Answer 1

Juvenile courts deal with crimes committed by individuals below the age of 18 while criminal courts deal with crimes committed by those above the age of 18. Crimes committed by juveniles are often referred to as acts of delinquency. The court proceedings are referred to as adjudication hearings rather than criminal trials. Moreover, juveniles court proceedings do not have the right to a trial by a jury of their peers, nor do they have a right to a public trial or bail.

With juvenile cases, the records of all acts of delinquency are sealed and are expunged once the individual turns 18 if they have met the conditions set by the court.