Are juvenile offenders ever tried in adult courts?

In Washington, juvenile offenders may be tried in adult courts under certain conditions. Generally, juveniles are under the jurisdiction of the juvenile court system. However, if a juvenile is charged with a serious crime or a repeat offense, that juvenile may be transferred to adult court. This decision is made by a juvenile court judge. The criteria for transferring a juvenile to adult court depends on the offense. In Washington, juveniles aged 15 or over may be tried in adult court for certain violent crimes, including murder and sex offenses. For other crimes such as burglary, theft and arson, juveniles aged 17 or older may be transferred to adult court. It is important to note that when a juvenile offender is transferred to adult court, they are subject to the same penalties as an adult. If the juvenile is convicted of a crime in adult court, they can receive an adult sentence, which may include fines, jail time, or both. The primary goal of the juvenile court system is rehabilitation, while the criminal court system focuses more on punishment. Transferring a juvenile to adult court should be a last resort, and is done only when the juvenile court judge believes it is in the best interest of public safety.

Related FAQs

What are the rights of juveniles in the criminal justice system?
What is the juvenile justice system’s approach to substance abuse?
What research exists on the effectiveness of the juvenile justice system?
What are the juvenile justice system’s response to truancy and running away?
How has the use of alternative forms of punishment in the juvenile justice system evolved over time?
What is an informal juvenile hearing?
What is the difference between a juvenile offender and a youthful offender?
What are the differences between the rights of juveniles and adults in the court system?
Are there any special considerations for family members of juvenile offenders?
What is the difference between civil and criminal cases for juvenile offenders?

Are juvenile offenders ever tried in adult courts?

Related FAQs

Related Blog Posts