It’s true that one of the main differences between adult courts and juvenile courts is the age of the defendant. However, the differences do not begin and end there. Keep reading to find out the most important differences between the two and then contact Law Office of Michael L. Fell at (949) 585-9055 for a free legal consultation if your child has been accused of a crime.
- The Language Used in Juvenile Court
- The Goal is Rehabilitation
- Sanctions Do Not Have the Goal of Retribution
One important difference to be aware of is that the same wording is not used to describe juvenile cases. For example, minors are not considered “guilty” or “not guilty.” If the judge is convinced that the minor committed the crime they are accused of, then they “sustain the petition” the District Attorney has filed.
The word “sentence” is not used either, instead the word “disposition” is used. The least of the dispositions are informal probation in which the minor does not have to admit they are guilty of any wrongdoing and the charges against them are dismissed once they complete the required program. The most serious sentence is commitment to the California Youth Authority, which is essentially a “prison” for minor offenders.
When an adult is convicted and sent to jail or prison, the purpose of their imprisonment is to punish them. However, the juvenile court is set up to help rehabilitate offenders – in theory. A child put into the juvenile court system should be getting the education, treatment, and services required to get past their crime and past behavior.
The goal is to help reunite them with their families and to give them the tools to be productive members of society. Of course, though this is a great goal, it is not always met. That is just one of the reasons you need an experienced criminal defense attorney on your side – to assure your child gets the care they deserve.
When an adult is convicted and sentenced, the point is retribution. That is not the case with a juvenile court. Though the purpose is to rehabilitate the offender, that does not mean they do not face any punishment. In fact, they can face fines, community service hours, commitment to the California Youth Authority, required attendance at a victim impact class, placement within a foster home, probation and/or parole, or conviction to a juvenile ranch.
At Law Office of Michael L. Fell we believe that a child who made a mistake should not see their future ruined as a result. If your juvenile has become involved in something and gotten in over their head, contact us at (949) 585-9055 now for a free legal consultation to learn your options.