Juvenile Justice
Juvenile Justice In each scenario, decide whether the person should be tried as a juvenile or transferred to criminal court and tried as an adult. Explain the reasons for your decisions.
Scenarios Eric, age 15, is accused of robbing an 86-year-old woman at gunpoint. Eric, who has a long juvenile record including acts of burglary, brags about the robbery. Marcia, age 17, is accused of killing a pedestrian while driving a stolen car. She has never been in trouble before, is remorseful about the killing, and claims that she planned to return the car after the short joyride.
Juvenile Justice Notes Georgia’s juvenile justice system has jurisdiction over children In Georgia, a person is considered to be a child if they are 17 years old or less In addition, someone who is 18 and deprived (child without supervision of parents or other caregiver) is also considered a child In 1966, the Supreme Court ruled that juvenile have the same rights in the court system as adults The one exception is that juveniles (being tried as such) do not have the right to a jury trial – to protect privacy
Juvenile Justice Unruly behavior is also considered a status offense. This means this behavior would not be criminal if committed by an adult. Sometimes status offenses are handled by offering appropriate adult supervision, or with drug or alcohol treatment (if necessary) If the court decides unruly behavior is serious, the child may be committed to a juvenile justice detention center Children may be sentenced to up to two years time
Juvenile Justice – Unruly Behavior Juvenile courts in GA consider the following to constitute unruly behavior : The child frequently refuses to go to school The child frequently disobeys parents/caregivers The child runs away from home The child roams about on the streets between midnight and 5 a.m. The child goes to a bar without his or her parents/caregivers, and/or is caught with alcoholic drinks in hand
Juvenile Justice-Delinquent Behavior Juvenile Courts may also decide a child shows delinquent behavior (committing a crime) A child who is under 13 cannot be tried for a crime in Georgia Children 13 to 17 will be punished according to the law This can include up to 5 years in a detention facility
Juvenile Rights while in Custody Right to have a lawyer Right to cross-examine witnesses Right to provide evidence to support own case Right to provide witnesses to support own case Right to remain silent Right to appeal Right to a transcript of the trial
Juvenile Justice Process
Juvenile Justice Process Takes place in two days or less
Juvenile Justice Process
Juvenile Justice Process: Next step
Juvenile Justice: Next Step
The Seven Delinquent Behaviors These behaviors lead juveniles directly to adult court: (Superior Court will handle) Aggravated child molestation Aggravated sexual battery Serious sexual crimes Murder Rape Voluntary manslaughter Armed robbery with a firearm These crimes are punishable with harsh punishments, i.e., prison