What constitues a crime in juvenile court?
In California, any act that would be considered a felony or misdemeanor in an adult court is also considered a crime in a juvenile court. A juvenile court is a division of the court system that deals with individuals between the ages of 6 and 17 who have been charged with a crime. Examples of crimes heard in juvenile court include, but are not limited to: robbery, burglary, grand theft, larceny, vandalism, arson, drug possession and sale, battery, possession of a weapon, assault, and homicide. Depending on the type and severity of the crime, the juvenile court may sentence the person to a period of probation, a training program, or even a term of confinement in a juvenile detention facility. Juvenile court also handles delinquency, which are acts that would not be considered criminal if done by an adult. These include truancy, running away from home, and underage consumption of alcohol. In addition to these crimes, juvenile courts also handle child abuse, status offenses, and dependency cases. Status offenses are acts such as truancy, running away from home, and underage consumption of alcohol. Dependency cases involve a child being removed from a home or the family being provided with court-ordered services. Child abuse cases involve a minor being physically, mentally, or emotionally abused by a parent or guardian. All of these cases are handled by the juvenile court, which is designed to rehabilitate minors, as opposed to punishing them. The court also uses a variety of methods including community service, counseling, substance abuse programs, and alternative schools to deal with minors who are charged with breaking the law.
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