Juvenile delinquents are prosecuted differently from adults because they are judged by different criteria. The juvenile criminal justice system serves the best interests of the minor by aiming to reform the offender to prevent later offenses instead of punishing them, as does the adult criminal justice system. An adjudication hearing, rather than a public trial before peers (aka jury), is used by judges to assess the juvenile’s arguments to see if they are relevant and sufficient to prove that they are not delinquent. When deemed delinquent, the court can decide the next steps, but there are a number of alternative punishments, such as probation, diversionary programs, and parole, that are available as alternatives to jail time. Furthermore, judges are generally more formal in criminal justice systems for adults. Judges in the juvenile criminal justice system are typically more informal and follow a more lenient procedure when it comes to the admission of evidence. In cases of juveniles who commit delinquent acts too violent to be considered a childish mistake, such as murder, the juveniles may be charged as adults and prosecuted under adult criminal justice standards.
Citation for sources used:
“Adult Crime System vs. Juvenile Crime System.” Criminal Defense Attorney San Diego, 19 Aug. 2015, www.sevenslegal.com/criminal-attorney/adult-crime-system-juvenile-crime-system/236/#:~:text=Adults%20are%20prosecuted%20for%20%E2%80%9Ccommitting,be%20tried%20in%20the%20adult.
