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

Yes, juveniles charged with a violent crime in Delaware will have special considerations. Generally, in Delaware, juvenile offenders between the ages of 14 and 17 are charged and tried as adults. This means that juveniles in this age group are subject to the same criminal laws as adults and that the crimes they are charged with can carry the same penalties. However, some considerations are given to juveniles when they are charged with a violent crime. For one, the court may take into account a juvenile’s age, maturity, intellect, and willingness to cooperate when considering their sentence. Additionally, the court is more likely to be lenient when sentencing a juvenile when compared to an adult who is charged with a similar offense. This may include suspending part of the sentence, allowing probation or diversion instead of jail time, or allowing certain aspects of the sentence to be fulfilled with community service. Additionally, in Delaware, juveniles charged with certain violent crimes - such as murder and manslaughter - can have their cases heard in a juvenile court. This means that the juvenile will be dealt with differently than an adult and the court will look at the juvenile’s rehabilitative needs rather than punishment as its primary concern. The court must determine whether the juvenile is amenable to rehabilitation and whether the juvenile can benefit from rehabilitative programs offered in juvenile court. If the juvenile is determined to be amenable to rehabilitation, the court may decide to release them with certain conditions or order that they receive probation, counseling, and other rehabilitation services.

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

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