How is the juvenile justice system different from the adult justice system?

The juvenile justice system in South Carolina is very different from the adult justice system. This is because the juvenile justice system focuses on rehabilitation and ensuring the safety of juvenile offenders. In contrast, the adult justice system usually focuses on punishment and deterrence rather than rehabilitation. Another way in which the juvenile justice system is different from the adult justice system is in the way that charges are handled. In the juvenile system, juvenile offenders are usually charged with “juvenile delinquency” rather than criminal acts such as assault, robbery, or murder. Juvenile delinquency is a broad term that encompasses any actions that are seen as damaging to society. In the adult justice system, criminal acts are usually considered felonies and punished more harshly than juvenile delinquency. The consequences for committing a juvenile delinquency act will also be treated differently in the juvenile justice system. In South Carolina, juveniles who commit acts of delinquency may be placed in a detention facility or rehabilitation program in lieu of jail time. This is done in an effort to protect the welfare of juveniles and to help them avoid repeating their mistakes. Ultimately, the juvenile justice system in South Carolina is much different from the adult justice system in terms of the charges, the focus on rehabilitation, and the consequences that are given out. These differences are in place to ensure that juveniles receive opportunities to become healthy and productive members of society, rather than being put in jail and punished without any chance of rehabilitation.

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