Augusta Georgia Criminal Defense Lawyer Defending Juvenile crimes

Georgia Criminal Defense Lawyer Defending Juvenile crimes

In juvenile law, the criminal process isn't like that of adults. Juveniles are usually charged with being a delinquent or engaging in delinquent behavior instead of being charged with a particular offense. The proceeding is brought before a juvenile court judge who sentences the juvenile with the intent to rehabilitate the juvenile. A special court called the Juvenile Court is designated to handle juvenile delinquency cases and dependency cases. Delinquency cases involve charges of criminal law violations against a minor. Dependency cases include allegations of child abuse or neglect against the parents or guardian of a minor. Juvenile cases can be transferred into adult courts if the juvenile court waives its jurisdiction. This is done to deny some offenders the rights and protections that have evolved in juvenile law. All states provide for some type of waiver mechanism, and most set a lower age limit (13 and 14 in a handful of states; 17 and 18 in most). The law on how to properly conduct waivers has been settled by the Kent v. US (1966).

Different laws apply to juveniles. Juveniles do not have the right to a trial by jury. If a juvenile is accused of committing a very serious offense, such as murder or rape, the District Attorney, with the court's permission, may decide to try the offender as an adult. The minimum age for a juvenile to be tried as an adult is varies from state to state, but can be as less as thirteen. A number of states (about 35) permit the execution of juveniles regardless of age.

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Drunk driving defense lawyer Augusta GA - Evans GA and Criminal Attorney in Richmond & Columbia County.