Are there any special considerations for juveniles charged with a violent crime?

In Mississippi, juveniles charged with a violent crime face special considerations. The state recognizes that juveniles are less culpable than adults and therefore offers more protections to juveniles when they are tried as adults. In Mississippi, juveniles accused of a violent crime will have their cases presided over by a juvenile court judge, who has the discretion to decide whether the juvenile should be tried as an adult. If tried as an adult, the juvenile will usually be tried as a “youthful offender” under the state’s criminal code. This designation carries less severe penalties than the adult criminal code, and also allows the judge to impose probation or other forms of supervision rather than imprisonment. In addition to this, the court may also order the juvenile to receive mental health counseling, substance abuse treatment, and/or other forms of rehabilitation. These programs are aimed at helping the juvenile understand the importance of following the law and making good choices in the future. The court may also require the juvenile to complete community service, attend school, pay restitution to the victim, or take part in other activities as part of their sentence. Ultimately, the goal of the court is to provide juveniles with access to support and to use criminal justice as a last resort when dealing with juvenile offenders.

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