What is the process of transferring a juvenile case to adult court?

In Pennsylvania, the process of transferring a juvenile case to adult court is known as "decertification." This process is used when a juvenile is charged with a crime that is normally punishable by an adult sentence. When this happens, the juvenile’s case is transferred from the juvenile court system to the criminal court system. The decertification process begins with the filing of a petition in juvenile court. The petition must include a statement of the juvenile’s offense, as well as a statement of facts establishing the juvenile’s participation in the offense. The prosecuting attorney may also add any aggravating circumstances in the offense which may lead to a transfer. The court then holds a hearing to decide whether or not the juvenile’s case should be transferred to adult court. During the hearing, both the prosecuting attorney and defense attorney may present evidence and testimony. The judge will then consider the evidence before making a decision. If the juvenile’s case is decertified, the case will be transferred to adult court and the juvenile will face criminal proceedings. In Pennsylvania, a juvenile must be 14 years of age or older to be eligible for decertification. The court may consider other factors as well, such as the age of the victim, the seriousness of the offense, and the juvenile’s prior criminal activity. Decertification of a juvenile’s case is a serious matter, so it is important that the court makes the decision carefully and with consideration of the best interests of the juvenile.

Related FAQs

What are the different types of juvenile court hearings?
What types of juvenile cases can be handled in court?
What types of punishments can juvenile offenders be subject to?
How are juvenile cases resolved in court?
What is the difference between a juvenile detention center and a juvenile correctional facility?
What is the difference between a juvenile detention center and a juvenile correctional facility?
What are the consequences when a juvenile violates probation?
What is the difference between a misdemeanor and a felony in juvenile court?
What types of interventions are available to help juvenile offenders?
How long do juvenile court proceedings take?

What is the process of transferring a juvenile case to adult court?

Related FAQs

Related Blog Posts