The juvenile justice system focuses on rehabilitation rather than punishment. Nevertheless, a juvenile charge shouldn’t be taken seriously.
The juvenile court procedure will usually vary depending on the type of case. There are three basic types of juvenile cases: 1) Juvenile Delinquency Cases: These are cases involving minors whose actions would be criminal offenses if committed by an adult. The punishment and procedures in juvenile delinquency courtrooms differ from adult criminal courts. In juvenile proceedings, the main focus is rehabilitation and avoiding long-term repercussions. 2) Juvenile Dependency Cases:These cases involve minors abused, neglected, or abandoned by their parents or guardians. Cases of this sort focus on protecting the child’s safety. They have some similarities to family court cases. 3) Status Offense Cases: These cases involve status offenses that apply specifically to juveniles. These may include underage drinking or driving, curfew violations, runaways, or truancy.
Note that the organizational model varies from state to state. For instance, Alabama allows each county and city jurisdiction to decide the best method of organization. Where the juvenile court sits can have profound implications for the juvenile process.
If law enforcement has detained a minor, the court will hold a detention hearing to determine probable cause. This hearing will also assess whether the juvenile should be released or detained pending trial. Juvenile offenders are persons at the age of minority, often under 18 years old.
A petition, the official charging document, is then drawn up. This petition outlines the jurisdictional authority of the juvenile court over the offense and detained individuals. It sets the arraignment process, provides the reason for the court date, and serves as notice to the minor’s family of the delinquent act the juvenile allegedly committed.
If you or a loved one is in a bind as a result of criminal allegations, immediately contact a Seattle Criminal Attorney. A Criminal lawyer is not going to judge you and understands that everyone makes mistakes. Hiring a Seattle Criminal Lawyer to help can – at a minimum – reduce penalties and can help direct people on how to best deal with their criminal charge, and many times even get them dismissed. So, it should go without saying that someone cited for a misdemeanor or felony should hire a qualified Seattle Criminal Lawyer as soon as possible. Criminal charges can cause havoc on a person’s personal and professional life. Anyone charged with a crime in Washington State should immediately seek the assistance of a seasoned Seattle Criminal Lawyer. SQ Attorneys can be reached at (425) 359-3791 and/or (206) 441-0900.
