What is the difference between juvenile court and adult court?

The difference between juvenile court and adult court in Virginia lies in the punishments and rights of the accused. Juvenile court is specifically for minors who are charged with a crime and are not yet legally considered adults. In juvenile court, punishments are usually less severe than those given in adult court. The main goal of juvenile court is rehabilitation rather than punishment, so the court often gives probation, community service, or counseling as a form of punishment. In contrast, adult court is for people who are 18 years or older and who have been charged with a crime. The punishments in adult court are much more severe as the main goal is punishment (i.e., to deter people from committing the same crime again). Someone charged in adult court could face penalties such as fines, jail time, or even death. In addition, in most cases the accused in juvenile court are not granted the same rights as the accused in adult court. In juvenile court, the cases are less likely to be open to the public, and the accused may be denied the right to a jury trial. Overall, the biggest difference between juvenile court and adult court in Virginia is the punishments and rights of the accused. While juvenile court focuses on rehabilitation, adult court focuses on punishment and more severe consequences.

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What is the difference between juvenile court and adult court?

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