JUVENILE JUSTICE

Juvenile Justice

Introduction

Most states set minimum and maximum age to judge people as minors or adults. Like adults, juveniles can be charged with felonies and misdemeanors. However, only juveniles can be charged with crimes Offenses condition or status in English. This condition is a minor. Examples of these offenses include: absent to school, violating curfew and running away from home. The prosecutor must prove, in the same way you do with adults, children had a criminal intent or intent to commit a crime. In general, in most states, it is established that children under 6 years are able to develop the mindset to commit certain crimes. However, it believes that children between 6 and 16 (or 17 and 18, by state) are able to have the necessary criminal intent to be charged with violent crimes (Michael, 2008).

Like adults, children may present arguments and def and NSAs valid to the crime for which they are accused. In addition, both adults and children may claim to have no criminal responsibility due to serious mental health problems or developmental delays pronounced. It must submit medical documentation attesting to these conditions. When a child is accused of a violent crime such as aggravated assault or manslaughter, in general, the court hold a hearing to waive or transfer jurisdiction to determine whether the juvenile should be tried as an adult. When judged as a minor, states generally retain jurisdiction over the child until he is 18 or 21 years of age. To determine whether a child should be tried as a juvenile or as an adult is a critical decision. The stages of punishment can produce very different results in the case of a minor or an adult. Moreover, in some states, only children can ask the court to criminal background are removed or sealed when they grow old (David, 2005).

The states involved in the case of minors under the legal principle established in the case against Massachusetts Prince, which stipulated that the state should act as if it were a parent of children to ensure they receive the necessary attention and care. Subsequently, the Supreme Court of the United States established that the processes in the juvenile courts are civil and not criminal. The court is committed to defining the needs of children and society, rather than simply issue a ruling on criminal behavior.

Discussion

Juvenile Justice System

When a minor is accused of committing a crime or a crime that results from a condition (status Offense), the official responsible for receiving the juveniles in the juvenile court decides how to proceed through the stages of the criminal justice system. The officer assesses many factors, including:

The degree of probability that the youth has committed the act.

The seriousness of the offense or the level of violence of the act. For example, is the first time that is absent from school?

The possibility that the child has had any previous contact with the juvenile justice system to justify a severe measure, such as probation or supervision applies in a juvenile ...