What is the Difference Between Juvenile Court and Criminal Court?

The main difference between juvenile court and criminal court lies in their objectives and procedures. Here are the key differences:

1. Objective: Juvenile court aims to rehabilitate the delinquent minor, while criminal court seeks to punish the defendant for the crime.
2. Terminology: In criminal court, the person charged is called a "defendant," while in juvenile court, they are referred to as a "minor" or "child".
3. Trial: Juvenile court does not have jury trials, whereas criminal court does. In juvenile court, the judge makes all decisions, including whether the minor is delinquent and what the next course of action should be.
4. Public Access: Juvenile court hearings are closed to the public, while criminal court hearings are open to the public.
5. Sentencing: In criminal court, if the defendant is found guilty, they are "convicted" and sentenced. In juvenile court, if the minor is found delinquent, there is a "disposition" hearing to determine what should happen to the minor.
6. Rules of Evidence: In juvenile court, the rules of evidence are more lenient, making it easier for both the plaintiff and defendant to present their case.
7. Adjudication Hearing: Instead of a public trial with a jury, juveniles are tried in an adjudication hearing, where a judge hears all the evidence and makes a ruling on whether the juvenile is delinquent.
8. Focus on Rehabilitation: The juvenile court system focuses on rehabilitating the minor, with an emphasis on treatment, therapy, and education, rather than just punishment.
9. Transfer of Cases: In some instances, a prosecutor may request that a juvenile case be transferred to an adult court, particularly if the minor committed a violent crime. Once a case is transferred, the minor is no longer protected by juvenile court rules, and the case becomes public.
10. Expungement: Juvenile records are not public, allowing for the possibility of expungement, while adult criminal records are public.

Comparative Table: Juvenile Court vs Criminal Court

Here is a table outlining the differences between juvenile court and criminal court: