What is the process of a juvenile court proceeding?

A juvenile court proceeding is the process of putting a juvenile offender through the justice system. In California, the juvenile court system is different from the adult court system and handles cases involving individuals between the ages of 12 to 17 years old. The first step in the juvenile court process is the juvenile detention hearing. This hearing is where a police officer—or a probation officer in some cases—presents evidence to a judge to decide if a juvenile should be detained in a juvenile detention facility. If the judge decides that the juvenile should be detained, the court will then set a date for the arraignment hearing. At the arraignment hearing, the juvenile must answer to the charges presented. If the juvenile pleads guilty or no contest, the judge will then decide the appropriate punishment, which could be anything from a warning to probation or detention in a juvenile facility. If the juvenile pleads not guilty, the judge will order a trial. At the trial, both the prosecutor and the juvenile’s attorney will present evidence and call witnesses to support their case. The jury will then decide if the juvenile is guilty or not guilty. If found guilty, the judge will decide the appropriate punishment. Depending on the severity of the crime and the juvenile’s criminal history, the juvenile may be placed in a secure or non-secure detention facility, or the juvenile’s legal guardian might be given responsibility for their care and control. In some cases, the judge may also require that the juvenile participate in various services, such as counseling and community service.

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What is the process of a juvenile court proceeding?

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