What is an informal juvenile hearing?
An informal juvenile hearing is a proceeding that is used to determine if a juvenile has committed an offense in Virginia. It is an alternative to a formal court hearing and is less formal than an adult criminal proceeding. It is usually held before a magistrate or juvenile court judge in a private setting. During the hearing, the juvenile is given the chance to admit or deny the alleged offense. If the juvenile denies the offense, the court will gather evidence and decide if the juvenile should be referred for a formal hearing. If the court finds that the juvenile did commit the offense, the magistrate or judge may issue an order that could result in community service, restitution, education, counseling, or other programs or services designed to help the juvenile. The informal hearing process also provides an opportunity for the juvenile and their family or guardian to be heard. This gives the juvenile the chance to explain their actions and hopefully provide insight into how to prevent the offense from occurring again. The purpose of an informal hearing is to reduce recidivism, address the underlying causes of juvenile delinquency, support positive behaviors, and help the juvenile learn from their mistakes. It also allows the juvenile to receive consequences in a more informal and less intimidating setting.
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