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

In Utah, the legal definition of a juvenile offender is someone under the age of 18 who is accused of a crime and is being handled in juvenile court. A youthful offender is someone between the ages of 18 and 21 who is accused of a crime and is being handled in adult court. The main difference between a juvenile offender and a youthful offender is the court in which they will be tried. Juveniles are typically charged and tried in juvenile court, while youthful offenders are charged and tried in adult court. Juvenile court has different laws than adult court, and the proceedings differ in a few ways. For instance, juvenile court proceedings aren’t open to the public. The proceedings in adult court are open to the public. Juvenile court also tends to be less formal in its proceedings, which may make it easier for the juvenile to tell their side of the story. Additionally, since juveniles are usually seen as less culpable than adults, the punishments are usually less severe. Whereas an adult may face jail time, juveniles can often get away with community service or counseling. The goal of juvenile court is to rehabilitate the juvenile and teach them how to become a productive member of society. The goal of adult court is to punish the offender and prevent them from committing another crime.

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

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