What is the difference between civil and criminal cases for juvenile offenders?

The difference between civil and criminal cases for juvenile offenders in Washington is significant. In criminal cases, a juvenile offender may face the possibility of incarceration. These cases involve violations of criminal laws and are handled in criminal court. For example, if a juvenile commits a violent crime or a crime against property, they will likely be charged with a criminal violation and the case will be handled in criminal court. In civil cases, a juvenile is not facing potential jail time, but instead may face a penalty such as a fine, community service, or probation. These cases involve violations of civil laws, such as truancy or vandalism. In these situations, the aim of the court is not to punish the juvenile, but to rehabilitate them or address the underlying causes of the behavior. For example, if a juvenile is found to be delinquent and a court deems that the juvenile needs counseling or other services, the court may order the juvenile to receive these services in order to address any underlying issues that may have caused the delinquent behavior. Overall, the main difference between civil cases and criminal cases for juvenile offenders in Washington is that criminal cases may ultimately result in incarceration for the juvenile, whereas civil cases do not.

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What is the difference between civil and criminal cases for juvenile offenders?

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