Do Juvenile Offenders Have a Right to a Jury Trial?

It is very stressful when your child is charged with a juvenile offense. You may wonder if they will have to go to trial, and if a jury will decide their fate. In juvenile court proceedings, minors do not generally have the right to a jury trial. However, this does not mean that juvenile offenders do not have any rights. Below, our San Diego juvenile offenses lawyer explains more about the system, and the rights your child has.

Juvenile Court vs. Adult Criminal Court 

The adult criminal court system in California is vastly different from the juvenile court system. Adult criminal court focuses on penalizing criminal offenses while the juvenile justice system is aimed at rehabilitating young people. This is an important difference and it determines how juvenile offenders are treated from the beginning of the process, until it is finished.

Unlike adult criminal court, juvenile proceedings do not involve a jury. Instead, a judge will make all decisions regarding guilt and the penalties involved. Juvenile proceedings are not as formal as adult criminal court and they are also not typically open to the public. In order to protect a juvenile’s future, the records are also usually sealed.

Even though there is no jury trial, the stakes in the juvenile system are very high. If a juvenile offender is found guilty, it can impact their future employment options, education, and housing opportunities. The juvenile justice system was created to address the fact that teens and young people are still developing. Although this holds some benefits, it also means juvenile offenders do not have the same rights as adults fighting criminal charges.

Rights of Juvenile Offenders 

Although juvenile offenders do not have the right to a jury trial, they still have many important legal rights.

Firstly, like adults, juveniles have the right to an attorney. If you cannot afford an attorney, one will be appointed by the court. Additionally, minors also have the right to not self-incriminate under the Fifth Amendment. This is important because law enforcement officers may question young people without their parents being present. Minors do not often fully understand their rights and so, they may feel pressured to answer questions that could negatively impact their case.

Lastly, juvenile offenders also have the right to confront witnesses. This means your child’s attorney can challenge the evidence presented by the prosecution and question witnesses. An effective cross-examination often highlights weaknesses in the prosecution’s case that a judge may otherwise overlook.

Call Our Juvenile Offenses Lawyer in San Diego for Legal Help 

Cases involving juvenile offenses often move very quickly through the system. This means you only have a certain amount of time to prepare a defense. At Anthony Z. Vargas, Esq., our San Diego juvenile offenses lawyer has the necessary experience with the system to prepare an effective defense for your child that will help protect their future. Call us today at 858-285-4595 or contact us online to schedule a consultation and to get the legal help your family needs.

Source:

childsafety.losangelescriminallawyer.pro/juvenile-court-process.html