Do all juvenile crimes require a court hearing?

No, not all juvenile crimes require a court hearing in Virginia. The Virginia Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court has the discretion to decide which cases require a hearing. In Virginia, most juvenile cases are handled through informal processes such as diversion, warning letters, or deferred disposition. Diversion is a process in which the juvenile and their parent or guardian enter into a contract in which the juvenile agrees to perform certain conditions in order to avoid having an official charge on their record. If a juvenile fails to comply with the conditions of the contract, the matter can then be referred to the court. A warning letter is when an officer sends a letter to the juvenile and their parents to warn them of their behavior and remind them of the possible consequences if the behavior continues. Finally, deferred disposition is when a court postpones the decision on a juvenile’s case for a period of time in order for them to demonstrate good behavior. If the juvenile does not demonstrate good behavior, the court may take further action. In more serious cases, the judge has the discretion to require a court hearing. This is usually done when the juvenile has had a prior offense or the judge feels that a more serious punishment is necessary. It is also important to note that if a juvenile is charged with a serious felony, they will be transferred to the Circuit Court and their case handled by an adult court. Overall, not all juvenile crimes require a court hearing in Virginia. The decision of whether a hearing is necessary is made upon the discretion of the court.

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Do all juvenile crimes require a court hearing?

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