What rights do I have in juvenile court?

When you are a juvenile and you are accused of a crime, your case may be heard in juvenile court, also “juvenile delinquency court.” The seriousness and type of charge determines whether you will appear in juvenile court. For example, in some states, juveniles age 16 or over accused of committing minor traffic offenses will be ordered to appear in regular traffic court. Juvenile court is a type of civil court. It is not a criminal court.This explains why you do not have the same rights as an adult who appears in criminal court. If your juvenile court case is transferred to adult court, you have the same rights as an adult.

• The right to an attorney.
• The right to a speedy trial.
• The right to confront witnesses against the juvenile.
• The right to cross-examine witnesses against the juvenile.
• The right to introduce evidence on their own behalf.
• The right not to testify against oneself.

In juvenile court, an attorney must prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the juvenile committed the delinquent act. In most juvenile courts, a juvenile has the right to appeal the judge’s ruling. A juvenile usually has the right to an attorney for the first appeal. In many states and federal courts, a juvenile does not have a right to a jury trial or bail. Juvenile court laws determine whether a juvenile has a right to an interpreter. Typically, a juvenile has a right to have their parent, custodian, or guardian present during court proceedings.

In addition, the government is typically allowed to detain a juvenile in detention only for a short period before a proceeding. This period varies depending on juvenile court rules. It is usually between 1-3 days. If the juvenile court case has not been decided before the period is up, the juvenile must be released or told why they have not been released. When a juvenile is released, that does not mean the case has been dismissed. A juvenile must return to juvenile court to resolve the case.

The laws regarding state and federal courts’ treatment of juveniles differ. Consult an experienced juvenile delinquency attorney to represent you in juvenile court.

Case Studies: Juvenile Rights in Court

Case Study 1: Miranda’s Right to an Attorney

Miranda, a 16-year-old, was accused of a delinquent act in juvenile court. She exercised her right to have an attorney represent her throughout the proceedings. Her attorney successfully proved beyond a reasonable doubt that Miranda did not commit the alleged act. As a result, the judge ruled in Miranda’s favor, and her case was dismissed.

Case Study 2: Brian’s Right to Confront Witnesses

Brian, a 17-year-old, faced charges in juvenile court. During the trial, his attorney exercised his right to cross-examine the prosecution’s witnesses. Through careful questioning, Brian’s attorney exposed inconsistencies in the witnesses’ testimonies, casting doubt on the allegations against Brian. As a result, the judge found reasonable doubt and acquitted Brian of the charges.

Case Study 3: Sarah’s Right to Introduce Evidence

Sarah, a 15-year-old, was involved in a juvenile court case. Her attorney utilized her right to introduce evidence in her defense. The evidence presented provided a different perspective on the incident, supporting Sarah’s claim of innocence. The judge considered the new evidence and ultimately ruled in favor of Sarah, dismissing the charges against her.