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

In Oklahoma, the juvenile justice system is designed to handle the cases of individuals under the age of eighteen, who are accused of criminal acts. The youthful offender system, on the other hand, handles cases of individuals aged sixteen and seventeen who are accused of more serious crimes. A juvenile offender is an individual under the age of eighteen who commits a less serious crime. In Oklahoma, juvenile offenders may face charges such as minor vandalism or shoplifting, or the court may refer the juvenile to a diversion program. In a diversion program, the juvenile may be required to fulfill certain requirements in order to avoid formal prosecution. On the other hand, a youthful offender is an individual aged sixteen or seventeen who is accused of committing a more serious crime. These types of crimes include, but are not limited to, misdemeanors, felonies, robberies, or sex offenses. In Oklahoma, the youthful offender system applies when a juvenile is facing more serious charges instead of a juvenile diversion program. Depending on the severity of the crime, the individual may be sentenced to jail or prison time even if he or she is under the age of eighteen. In summary, the main difference between a juvenile offender and a youthful offender is the age of the accused and the seriousness of the crime. Juvenile offenders typically face less serious charges and may receive access to juvenile diversion programs, while youthful offenders are over the age of sixteen and are typically facing more serious charges which may result in jail or prison time.

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

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