What rights do juveniles have when facing criminal charges?

In Utah, juveniles have many of the same rights as adults when facing criminal charges. The right of a juvenile to remain silent is guaranteed under Utah law and cannot be used against them if they choose to exercise it. They also have the right to separate legal representation that is provided for them if they cannot afford a lawyer. Lastly, they have the right to a fair trial before a jury of their peers. In Utah, juvenile courts also take into account the circumstances of the crime and the age of the juvenile when determining an appropriate sentence. The goal of the juvenile courts in Utah is to rehabilitate the juvenile, not punish them. This means that the juvenile may be offered alternatives to incarceration, such as probation, educational programs, or community service. These alternatives are often beneficial for both the juvenile and the community. In addition, Utah juvenile courts recognize that juveniles are less able to understand the consequences of their actions than adults and are thus more likely to make mistakes. As such, the courts take a more lenient stance when it comes to sentencing and are more likely to look for alternatives than adult courts. In summary, juveniles in Utah have many of the same rights as adults when facing criminal charges. These include the right to remain silent, the right to a fair trial, and the right to separate legal representation. In addition, juvenile courts take into account the circumstances of the crime and the age of the juvenile when determining an appropriate sentence and are more likely to look for alternatives than adult courts.

What rights do juveniles have when facing criminal charges?

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