The Juvenile Justice System

The Juvenile Justice System March 10, 2014

Definition of a Juvenile • Juveniles are citizens age ____ and under • As citizens, juveniles must follow the same ______ that all other citizens follow • Juveniles have ________________ under the law, and they have laws designed especially for them • For example, juveniles must attend _______, cannot possess alcohol, and cannot possess tobacco

Delinquent vs. Status Offense • A ___________________ is one that would be considered a crime if committed by an ______ • Burglary and car theft are examples • A ___________________ refers to an act that would _____ be considered a crime if committed by an adult (this is called being ________) • Being repeatedly _______ from school is an example

Taken into Custody • When a juvenile commits a delinquent act or status offense and they are captured by police, they are __________________ • Juveniles have the same basic ______ rights that adults have if they are arrested for a crime • One major difference is there is no ______ in a juvenile trial; only a _______ listens to the evidence

Rights of Juveniles • If a juvenile is taken into custody and charged with a crime: • They have the right to remain _________ so they don’t incriminate themselves • They have the right to an ___________ • They have the right to a _____ trial • They have the right to confront and question _______________ • They have the right to have their __________ present in all hearings

The Juvenile Court System • Every county in Georgia has a ____________ court • The courts have ____ main purposes • To help __________ the well-being of children • To make sure any child receives care, guidance, and control while under the jurisdiction of the court • To provide care for children who have been ___________ from their homes

Juvenile Court Jurisdiction • Juvenile courts have ____________ over the following: • Juveniles who commit _________ offenses • ______________ juveniles • Unruly juveniles • Juveniles under the supervision or ____________ of the court • ____________ juveniles (neglected or abused by parents or guardians, or those who have no parents or guardians) • Cases involving children who need mental health services

Steps in the Juvenile Justice Process • There are many ______ in the juvenile justice process • Within each step are several _________ that must be considered • Above all, the court system must make sure that _______________ is followed for the juvenile

Step 1: Intake • When a juvenile is taken into custody, the first step is _________ • The juvenile is turned over to an intake officer • It is the intake officer’s job to ____________ the case and decide if there is enough ___________ against the juvenile • If there is _____ enough evidence, the intake officer must __________ the juvenile

Step 1, part 2: Intake and Evidence • If there is enough evidence, the intake officer has _____ choices • First, the juvenile may be released into the __________ of their parents • Second, the juvenile may be ___________ • Most juveniles are not detained in Georgia

Step 2: Detention • If a juvenile is detained, they are housed in one of the state’s ________________________________ (RYDC) • In special circumstances, a juvenile who is charged with an ______ crime may be placed in an adult jail and tried by an adult court

Step 2, part 2: Probable Cause • If a juvenile is detained, a ____________________ hearing must be held within 72 hours • At the hearing, the judge has ____ options: • __________ the case • Have an _____________________ • Have a ___________________

Step 2, part 3: Informal Adjustment • An _______________________ is usually held for first-time offenders • In an informal adjustment, the juvenile must ______ the wrongdoing • The juvenile is then under the supervision of the court for _____ days • While under court supervision, the juvenile may be required to attend school regularly, attend counseling sessions, be required to pay for damages, or complete community service requirements

Step 3: Formal Hearing • A __________________ is held if the juvenile is a ________ offender or the crime is serious • First, the complaining __________ files a petition outlining the wrongdoing • Once the petition is filed a date is set for the formal hearing • A ___________ is issued which requires the juvenile, the parents, and any others involved in the case to attend the hearing

Step 3, part 2: Adjudicatory Hearing • An _____________________ is somewhat like an adult trial • The _______ hears the case against the juvenile and hears the juvenile’s defense • After listening to all evidence, the judge _________ if the juvenile is guilty • If found ___________, the juvenile is ______________ • If found ________, the court schedules a __________ hearing

Step 3, part 3: Dispositional Hearing • In a _______________________, the judge determines ________________ for the offense • At this hearing, both the prosecutor and the defense can call witnesses and present evidence that can possibly influence the judge

Step 4: Sentencing • In________________, the judge may select from a number of options • Release the juvenile to the custody of the parents with ___ court supervision • Place the juvenile on ____________ • Place the juvenile in a __________________ center for up to 90 days • Commit the juvenile to the Department of Juvenile Justice • Send the juvenile to a ___________ program, such as boot camp • Assign other punishments (such as fines) and special conditions of probation (attend school regularly, community service, etc.)

Step 5: Appeal and Extension • The juvenile has a right to _______ their case • If an appeal is won, then the juvenile is released with _____ punishment • If lost, then the sentence is _________ out • The court also has the right to _________ custody or supervision of the juvenile for up to _____ years if the juvenile is believed to not be reformed

Can a juvenile be tried as an adult? • In ______, the General Assembly passed an amendment to the Georgia Juvenile Code that permits youths ages ___________ who are charged with certain _________ crimes to be treated as though they were _________ • These include _________, armed _________, and voluntary manslaughter (an intentional killing with no prior intent)

How to treat a juvenile offender as an adult • The ______________ will make the decision to transfer the juvenile to the adult court system based on the _________ of the crime and the evidence • A judge will then grant a ________ releasing the juvenile to the adult court • The process is then the _______ as for an adult (______________) • If __________ (found guilty), that person will be housed in an RYDC until they turn ____, then transferred to an “adults-only” area of the building to serve out the rest of their sentence

1) What is a juvenile? 2) Define delinquent act. 3) Define status offense. 4) What are examples of delinquent acts and status offenses? 5) What does it mean when a juvenile is taken into custody? 6) Who hears the evidence in a juvenile’s case? 7) What are the rights of juveniles who are taken into custody? 8) What are the 3 main purposes of juvenile courts? 9) What do juvenile courts have jurisdiction over? 10) Describe Step 1 in the juvenile justice process 11) What is the intake officer’s job? 12) What 2 choices does the intake officer have if he believes there is enough evidence? 13) Where is a juvenile kept if they are detained? 14) What 3 options does the judge have at the probable cause hearing? 15) What happens at an informal adjustment? 16) Why might a formal hearing be held? 17) What is a summons? 18) Describe the process at an adjudicatory hearing Questions:

Questions: • 19) What happens at a dispositional hearing? • 20) What are the sentencing options for a juvenile judge? • 21) What can happen after sentencing? • 22) At what age could a juvenile potentially be tried as an adult for committing certain violent crimes? • 23) What are some examples of crimes that could result in a juvenile being tried as an adult? • 24) What process will a juvenile go through if they are tried as an adult? • 25) What is the punishment for a juvenile is who convicted of an adult crime?

The Juvenile Justice System