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The Juvenile Justice Process

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The Juvenile Justice Process
The Juvenile Justice Process: A Breakdown of the System
Dana R Kirkland
Strayer University

Abstract
Although based on the adult criminal justice system, the juvenile justice process works differently. Juveniles can end up in court by way of arrest, truancy or for curfew violations or running away. A youth may also be referred to the juvenile court system by school officials or a parent or guardian for being continuously disobedient. The juvenile justice process involves several different steps including intake, detention, adjudication, disposition and aftercare following release from a juvenile correctional facility. In this paper we will breakdown the numerous steps involved in the juvenile justice process as well as compared some processes to the adult justice process (terminology).

The Juvenile Justice Process: A Breakdown of the System

Courtesy of the Superior Court of California

The Juvenile Justice Process: A Breakdown of the System Juvenile justice is the process of bringing minors to justice for their crimes. While laws and regulations regarding juvenile justice differ from state to state, there are many similarities. Who does America consider to be a Juvenile? America considers a juvenile to be an individual who falls within a specified age range and is subject to the jurisdiction of the juvenile courts. The word juvenile refers to a minor; anyone under the age of 18 in most states is considered to be a juvenile. What is a juvenile delinquent? A juvenile delinquent by text is someone under the legal age who is found guilty of committing a crime. Now, depending on the offense and its severity, the juvenile delinquents may not necessarily be sentenced as hard as an adult would be for committing the same crime. Juvenile courts were developed to be a place where minors go for trial in most cases. This process is also known to change depending on the state and the severity of the crime.
Let’s take a stroll down the path of the juvenile



References: Superior Court of California: County of Santa Clara (2010). Retrieved from http://www.scselfservice.org/default.htm Taylor, R.W.; Fritsch, E.J (2009) Juvenile Justice; Policies, Programs, and Practices; The Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act (228-229; 235; 242; 252-267)

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