What types of juvenile cases can be handled in court?

In South Carolina, juvenile cases involve criminal offenses committed by minors. Any person under the age of 17 is considered a juvenile in this state. While some juvenile cases may be handled in a juvenile court, other cases may be handled in a criminal court. The type of case that will be handled in court depends on the severity of the offense. For minor offenses, such as vandalism or shoplifting, the juvenile may be sent to a court diversion program, or the case may be handled informally by the police or a probation officer. For more serious offenses, such as drug possession or aggravated assault, the case will typically be handled in a criminal court. In addition, some cases may involve multiple charges and multiple defendants. In these cases, the court will decide whether to try the case in a juvenile court or a criminal court. In some cases, the juvenile may be charged as an adult if prosecutors can prove that the juvenile was a “principal actor” in the crime. Whether a case is handled in a juvenile court or a criminal court typically has significant implications for the juvenile. Juvenile court offers more lenient penalties, such as probation, community service, or other forms of rehabilitation. Criminal courts, on the other hand, may impose criminal penalties, such as jail time or fines.

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What types of juvenile cases can be handled in court?

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