What is the difference between a juvenile offender and a youthful offender?

The difference between a juvenile offender and a youthful offender in Maryland is significant in terms of the penalties a juvenile can face for certain crimes. A juvenile offender is any person younger than 18 years old who is charged with a crime, while a youthful offender is any person between the ages of 14 and 17 who is charged with a serious crime. Juvenile offenders are typically subject to civil and juvenile standards of justice. This means their cases are usually heard in juvenile court and they are subject to a variety of sanctions depending on the severity of their offense. Sanctions may include probation, community service, juvenile detention, or even commitment to residential treatment facilities in extreme cases. Youthful offenders, on the other hand, are subject to adult standards of justice. This means their cases are usually tried in adult court, and they can face adult sentencing guidelines including incarceration. Youthful offenders are typically treated more harshly than juvenile offenders in order to discourage them from committing further crimes. In Maryland, youthful offenders can still be considered juveniles for the purpose of sentencing if the court finds that the youthful offender is not a threat to public safety and the offense is not too serious. The court can also opt to try the offender as a juvenile regardless of their age if they find the circumstances warrant it.

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What is the difference between a juvenile offender and a youthful offender?

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