What is the process for determining if a juvenile should be tried as an adult?

In California, the process for determining if a juvenile should be tried as an adult is called “Welfare and Institutions Code Section 707(b).” This section outlines the criteria that must be met for a juvenile to be tried as an adult. First, the court must determine whether or not there is sufficient evidence that the juvenile committed the alleged crime. If the court finds there is sufficient evidence, the court must decide if it is in the interests of justice to try the juvenile as an adult. The judge looks at several factors in determining whether the interests of justice are met. Some of these factors include the seriousness of the alleged crime, the degree of criminal sophistication exhibited, the juvenile’s prior delinquency record, and whether or not the juvenile is amenable to treatment in the juvenile justice system. If the judge decides that it is in the interests of justice to try the juvenile as an adult, then the juvenile may be transferred to adult criminal court. If the judge decides not to transfer the juvenile to adult criminal court, then the case will stay in juvenile court. In juvenile court, the judge could impose any number of sanctions, such as probation or community service. In some cases, the judge may even order that the juvenile be sent to a secure detention facility. Ultimately, the judge has the final say in determining whether or not to transfer a juvenile to adult criminal court. This process helps ensure that the interests of justice are upheld and that juveniles are held accountable for their actions.

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What is the process for determining if a juvenile should be tried as an adult?

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