What is the difference between juvenile court and adult court?

The main difference between juvenile court and adult court lies in the purpose of the proceedings. In Utah, juvenile court proceedings are intended to provide rehabilitation and treatment for minors who have committed a crime, and focus on the long-term goals of preventing future criminal behavior. In contrast, the purpose of adult court proceedings in Utah is to punish adult criminals for the crime they committed and is not necessarily meant to rehabilitate them. In Utah, juvenile courts also handle a range of other issues unrelated to criminal proceedings, such as child support and custody cases. Cases in juvenile court are typically confidential, meaning the proceedings are not open to the public and not reported in the newspapers. Adult court proceedings are typically open to the public, so any records are available to anyone. When it comes to sentencing, juvenile court proceedings are much more lenient than adult court. Since the goal is rehabilitation, juvenile court judges have more discretion when it comes to sentencing, and sentences are often much lighter than those imposed in adult court. For example, if a juvenile is found guilty of a particular crime, the judge may sentence him or her to probation, community service, or even a diversion program. On the other hand, if an adult is found guilty, the sentence could include imprisonment or jail time. Finally, appeals for juvenile court proceedings involve a different process than appeals for adult court proceedings. In adult court, appeals are heard in appellate courts, while in juvenile court, there may be a separate appeal board. Additionally, in juvenile court, the appeal is based on whether the juvenile was provided due process and received a fair trial. In adult court, an appeal is filed to challenge the legal basis of the decision.

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What is the difference between juvenile court and adult court?

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