1. Juvenile Justice

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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

9. Juvenile Justice Process

10. Juvenile Justice Process
Takes place in two
days or less

11. Juvenile Justice Process

12. Juvenile Justice Process: Next step

13. Juvenile Justice: Next Step

14. 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