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

The primary difference between a juvenile offender and a youthful offender is that a juvenile offender is someone younger than age 17 charged with a criminal offense in South Carolina. A youthful offender, on the other hand, is someone 17 years old or older who is charged with a criminal offense that would otherwise be considered a juvenile offense. Although the criminal justice system generally views juvenile offenders more leniently than it does adult offenders, youthful offenders may receive harsher punishments than their younger counterparts. This is because the court system views youthful offenders as adults and applies the same laws as it would to any adult offender. South Carolina law also allows the court to increase the sentence of a youthful offender if the offense would have been a felony if it were committed by an adult. However, the court may still take into account the offender’s age and the fact that they are a youthful offender. In some cases, a youthful offender may be given the same treatment as a juvenile offender, such as having their record expunged after a successful completion of probation. The court may also choose to send a youthful offender to a juvenile facility or even give them probation or a lesser sentence if they deem it more appropriate. Ultimately, juvenile and youthful offenders face different treatments under South Carolina law. While juvenile offenses are usually subject to less serious consequences, youthful offenders may be subject to harsher punishments due to their age and the seriousness of the offense.

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

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