How do juveniles get involved in the criminal justice system?

In California, juveniles can become involved in the criminal justice system in several ways. First, juveniles may be arrested for criminal acts. Depending on the severity of the crime, juveniles may be taken into custody, cited and released, or referred to juvenile court. Second, juveniles may be referred to juvenile court for behavior which may not necessarily be criminal, such as truancy, running away, or not following an existing court order. Third, juveniles may be referred to juvenile court from other agencies, such as Child Protective Services or the Department of Mental Health. In California, when a juvenile is arrested, they are typically taken to a juvenile hall or detention center, depending on their age, the severity of the offense, and their criminal history. If the juvenile is not released, they will be held in the facility until a court hearing can be held. If a juvenile has been arrested, they will be brought before a juvenile court judge. During the hearing, the judge will determine if there is enough evidence to officially charge the juvenile and proceed with the case. In some cases, the juvenile may be released to their parent, guardian, or probation officer if their case is continued. If the juvenile is convicted, the judge will decide if the juvenile should be adjudicated, or declared delinquent and have their case proceed in juvenile court. Juveniles found to be delinquent may be placed in the care of the probation department or the California Department of Juvenile Justice for a period of time, depending on the severity of the offense.

How do juveniles get involved in the criminal justice system?

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