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

The juvenile justice system in Washington is different from the adult justice system in several ways. First, juvenile courts focus on rehabilitation rather than punishment, so judges have more discretion when handling juvenile offenders. In most cases, juvenile offenders can avoid conviction or incarceration if they complete a court-ordered program such as community service. Adult offenders, on the other hand, typically face more severe punishments, such as jail time. Secondly, juvenile courts are not public so the proceedings are kept confidential and are not open to the public. In contrast, adult court proceedings are open to the public, allowing the public to gain an understanding of the proceedings. Finally, in juvenile court cases, the burden of proof is on the prosecutor and the standard of proof is lower than in adult court cases. This means the prosecutor must present sufficient evidence to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. In adult court cases the standard of proof is higher, requiring “clear and convincing evidence" of guilt. In summary, the juvenile justice system differs from the adult justice system in that it focuses on rehabilitation rather than punishment, proceedings are not open to the public, and the standard of proof is lower. These differences provide young offenders with the opportunity to learn from their mistakes and avoid further criminal charges.

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

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