Is there a difference between restorative justice and criminal justice for juveniles?
Yes, there is a difference between restorative justice and criminal justice for juveniles in Virginia. Restorative justice is an approach to justice that focuses more on repairing the harm caused by criminal behavior than punishing or incarcerating juvenile offenders. With restorative justice, victims and offenders may come together and decide how to make things right. This might involve the offender apologizing and understanding the harm they have caused, or performing community service or making financial reparations to the victim. In contrast, criminal justice in Virginia is focused on punishing juvenile offenders for breaking the law. Juveniles who are convicted of a crime may be sentenced to serve time in prison, or may have to do community service, pay fines, or perform probation or parole. Criminal justice is focused more on punishing the offender than on repairing the damage that has been done. Ultimately, the goal of restorative justice and criminal justice are different. Restorative justice emphasizes repairing the harm caused by the criminal behavior, while criminal justice focuses on punishing and deterring criminal behavior. In Virginia, both approaches to justice can be used in juvenile cases depending on the crime and the circumstances.
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