How are juvenile cases different from adult cases?

In South Carolina, juvenile cases are heard in the family courts, while adult cases are heard in the general session courts. The purpose of juvenile law in South Carolina is to rehabilitate and protect juveniles, not to punish them. Juveniles can only be charged with a crime if they are at least 10 years old in South Carolina. For a juvenile to be charged with a crime they must be alleged to have committed a delinquent act, which means an act that would be considered a crime if committed by an adult. The proceedings for juveniles are less formal than for adults. Parents or guardians of the juvenile are present at all proceedings. During the proceedings, the judge will decide if the juvenile should be handled in family court or through a juvenile diversion program. If a juvenile is found delinquent, they can be placed in a Juvenile Detention facility or have a Probation Officer handle the punishment. Probation Officers may require the juvenile to take part in classes, community service, or counseling programs. Overall, juvenile cases are handled much differently than adult cases. The goal of juvenile law is to help the juvenile learn and grow from their mistakes and become a productive member of their community. The court also seeks to protect and support the juvenile throughout the legal process.

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How are juvenile cases different from adult cases?

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