Juveniles and Types of Crimes

NCSCOS 6.08

Juvenile

• Under 18, considered a juvenile

• Juvenile Delinquents: juveniles who commit crimes

Juveniles

• Primary goal of the juvenile system: to rehabilitate– We want to correct their behavior, rather than

punish them

Juvenile Neglect Cases

• If juveniles are neglected by their caregivers, the court can place them elsewhere

Steps in a Juvenile Case

• 1) Diversion or detention– When a juvenile is arrested, they can be put

in a detention center or special program

Steps in a Juvenile Cases

• 2) Trial– Preliminary hearing

• Decide if the evidence supports the charges

• Juveniles and their caregivers meet with their lawyer, judge, and police officer who made the arrest, and a probation officer

Steps in a Juvenile Case

• There is no jury

• Both sides can call witnesses and can cross-examine

• Their cases are kept secret and may be erased when they become older

Steps in a Juvenile Case

• Judge sentences them– He can send them home or place in a special

program

Juveniles and the Court

• 1967, Gault vs. Arizona: Court sets up juvenile rules

• 1) Guardians are notified as soon as possible

• 2) They must be notified of the charges against them

• 3) They have the right to attorney and to remain silent

Types of CrimesCrimes against

peopleCrimes against

propertyVictimless

Crimes

Crimes like murder, manslaughter, assault, rape, or

kidnapping

*Burglary, robbery, theft—all of these are larceny (taking property unlawfully)

*Vandalism (destruction of property) and fraud (taking property dishonestly)

*Crimes against property are the most common

Things like gambling or drug use