How are juvenile cases resolved in court?

In New York, juvenile cases are resolved in court similar to adult criminal cases. Upon being accused of a crime, juveniles are assigned an attorney, who can provide advice and represent them in court. Cases can be resolved in a variety of ways, depending on the legal route taken and the situation of the juvenile. At the discretion of the court, cases may be resolved through a plea bargain. In this situation, the defendant will plead guilty to a lesser charge in exchange for a lesser sentence or a dismissal of the charges. This option may be beneficial if the defendant is willing to accept responsibility for their action and lessens the likelihood of a lengthy trial. Moreover, if the court decides to bring the case to trial, the accused may still be able to plead “not guilty” and the prosecution must prove the guilt of the accused beyond a reasonable doubt. If the prosecution is unsuccessful, the juvenile may be exonerated and the case will be dismissed. In other cases, the court may decide to refer the accused to a diversion program for education classes, counseling, and other activities. This continuous monitoring can be completed in a few months or over a period of years, depending on the severity of the crime and the circumstances surrounding it. Upon completion of the program, the case is dismissed. In all juvenile cases, the court’s focus is on rehabilitation and not punishment. In some cases, the court may order the juvenile to perform community service or pay restitution, but the overall goal is to avoid the cycle of recidivism.

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How are juvenile cases resolved in court?

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