How are juvenile proceedings different from adult proceedings?

Juvenile proceedings in Washington are different from adult proceedings in several ways. The primary difference is the purpose of the proceedings. Juvenile proceedings are typically focused on rehabilitation, while adult proceedings are typically focused on punishment. This means that the outcome of a juvenile case typically involves the juvenile being sentenced to a program or other form of treatment, while the outcome of an adult case typically involves the adult being sentenced to prison or other long-term punishment. Another major difference between juvenile and adult proceedings is that courts have much more discretion in deciding the outcome of juvenile cases. A judge or jury has the power to consider the circumstances of the case, including the age of the juvenile and any mitigating factors, when determining a sentence or program. In adult proceedings, however, the punishment is usually much more fixed. For example, if an adult is convicted of a crime, the judge is limited in what punishments the judge can impose. Finally, juvenile proceedings are often conducted in private, while adult proceedings are usually conducted in open court. This is to protect the privacy of the juvenile, since juveniles are often minors. The court may also take into consideration any attempts to rehabilitate the juvenile offender before issuing a sentence, which is not typically done in adult proceedings.

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How are juvenile proceedings different from adult proceedings?

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