What is the difference between a juvenile court case and a juvenile delinquency case?

In Washington, juvenile court cases involve situations where the juvenile court oversees civil matters. Such matters include adoption, guardianship, emancipation, and termination of parental rights. In contrast, juvenile delinquency cases are criminal matters. In a juvenile delinquency case, the juvenile court handles proceedings against a minor who has been charged with a criminal offense. In other words, juvenile delinquency cases involve young people who have broken a law or ordinance. The key difference between a juvenile court case and a juvenile delinquency case is that juvenile court cases focus on civil issues, while juvenile delinquency cases focus on criminal issues. In a juvenile delinquency case, a juvenile court judge will listen to the facts of the case and decide whether or not to charge the minor with a criminal offense. If found guilty, the judge may impose a sentence. The sentence could include juvenile detention, probation, or other consequences determined by the judge. Overall, it’s important to understand the different types of cases involving minors handled by the juvenile court in Washington. Juvenile court cases are civil matters, while juvenile delinquency cases are criminal matters involving young people who have broken the law. Knowing the distinction between the two is essential to ensure minors receive the proper legal representation.

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