When faced with a criminal charge, one must go through the legal system. They can get the assistance and direction they require from a legal defense lawyer in frisco to work toward the best potential result. Since the terms "adult" and "juvenile" criminal justice systems are used interchangeably, people may be curious about the distinctions between the two to better prepare for their encounters.
The following are some of the most significant distinctions between the juvenile and adult criminal justice systems, which can help you better understand what to expect in each system.
The Age Of The Defendant:
A juvenile is typically defined as an individual who is between the ages of 10 and 17, though this varies by state. One may subsequently enter the adult justice system after turning eighteen. However, the maximum age for a juvenile may be sixteen, depending on the state. A minor may be tried as an adult in certain situations. This usually occurs when the accused person is charged with a heinous offense, like murder.
Punishment Vs. Rehabilitation:
The final objective of the juvenile and adult criminal justice systems differs significantly. Juveniles are thought to still develop their sense of right and wrong, so the juvenile justice system is typically more forgiving. Rehabilitation is, therefore, frequently the juvenile justice system's ultimate objective. On the other hand, adults are asked whether or not they have committed a crime in the adult judicial system. The adult judicial system typically places more of an emphasis on punishment and deterrence than on rehabilitation.
Open Versus Closed Hearings:
An adult's hearing is typically public when they are charged with a crime. Juveniles, on the other hand, typically have private hearings to preserve their privacy. This implies that the judge, attorneys, probation officers, and the juvenile's family are usually the only people present at a juvenile's hearing.
Expungement:
The act of expunging an offense from a person's record is known as expungement. Although adults may be able to have their records erased, the process is usually more complicated and depends on the specific offense and state. The guidelines for expungement are typically more lenient when young offenders are detected. When they turn 18, many juvenile offenders have their records erased.
Juries:
In a court of law, adults are judged by a jury of their peers. Yet juries are rarely present for juveniles. Instead, the judge is typically the only one who has to be persuaded as to whether or not the accused party committed the alleged offense.
Jurisdiction:
Jurisdiction is another area where the juvenile and adult criminal justice systems diverge from one another. A person charged with a crime as an adult usually has their case heard in the county where the offense was committed. In contrast to the county where the criminal act was committed, a juvenile charged with a crime may have their case heard in their county of residence. You need to hire an experienced juvenile criminal defense frisco tx for representation in court.
The adult criminal justice system's objective is to punish offenders. “Penal” actually refers to something that is legally punishable. However, rehabilitation is the juvenile court's main objective. The goal is to help kids who run afoul of the law get back on track to becoming law-abiding adults.
