What constitues a crime in juvenile court?

In Washington, crimes committed by juveniles are treated differently than those committed by adults. Generally, crimes that constitute a crime in juvenile court are the same as those that would be considered a crime if committed by an adult. These include offenses such as theft, assault, drug possession, and vandalism. In some cases, however, juveniles may be charged with a crime that would not be considered a crime if committed by an adult. For example, juveniles may be charged with truancy for failing to attend school regularly, or may be charged with running away from home. In addition to the criminal offenses listed, juveniles can be charged with status offenses, or act that would not be considered criminal if committed by an adult. Some of these offenses are drinking alcohol, running away, or skipping school. In juvenile court, juveniles are typically given the opportunity to participate in diversion programs or may be required to complete community service or a treatment program as an alternative to prosecution. In these cases, the juvenile will typically avoid a criminal record upon successful completion of the program. In all cases, it is important to remember that juvenile court proceedings are handled differently than adult court proceedings. Juveniles are afforded more leniency and opportunities for rehabilitation, and judges will typically take the juvenile’s age, maturity level, and individual circumstances into consideration during sentencing.

Related FAQs

What is the purpose of a juvenile justice program?
What is the difference between a juvenile delinquency program and a juvenile justice program?
What types of juvenile cases can be handled in court?
What are the consequences when a juvenile violates probation?
What is the difference between juvenile and adult court?
What are the rights of a juvenile offender prior to trial?
What are the factors considered when assigning a juvenile to a detention facility?
What are the different types of juvenile court hearings?
What are the rights of a juvenile in court?
What is the purpose of a juvenile diversion program?

What constitues a crime in juvenile court?

Related FAQs

Related Blog Posts