Juvenile Justice Case Study

Juvenile Justice Case Study

These are Special courts dealing with issues of the reprobate, dismissed, or mishandled children. It helps in fulfilling the role of the government of acting like a parent where it corrects mistakes conducted by youngsters. In the USA, every state has its juvenile laws which guide them on how to deal with the youth. In my essay, I will utilize the juvenile laws of Texas. In Texas, an individual can be charged in juvenile courts if he or she is aged between ten and seventeen years old.

The police used the following producers in processing peters’ case, that is, they detained, and charging document from officials. The police would use the following step, which helps them in the case of Peter. These examination steps incorporate, Establish scene measurements that is police should at first find the central zone of the unsettling influence, for example, the point of convergence of the wrongdoing. This could be a stripped front room, a traffic convergence where he began once again speeding. Since once the point of convergence has been discovered, the police make a range of the region, where all the ready, relevant physical proof might be available. Additionally, they could Perform the Initial Survey of Scene that is when leading the scene stroll through; the police will recognize and take photographs of significant proof; subsequently, the scene conditions will be appropriately caught (Bazemore & Walgrave, 1999).

Peter could indeed be charged with a crime. Breaking into someone’s house and stealing $10,000 jewelry and electronic is against the laws set in Texas. Also, consuming a bottle of wine without permission from the owner is against the legislation. And due to this, Peter could be charged with a crime of conveyance. Sending of juveniles to criminal court is the most commonly available method used by police. Instead of transferring the case to the adult court, juvenile judges can decide to offer a waiver to their jurisdiction over a particular claim. Peter can either plead to be guilty or not. On the other side, after Peter has asked guilty, his parents can pay fine so that their son can be released. The parents can also decide not to pay the fine so that Peter can be taught the lesson the hard way.

The potential court proceedings Peter may face include that of preliminary hearing and arraignment. A preliminary hearing is when the lawyers for each side question the suspect and witnesses, and each team can make an argument. The grand jury will only hear from the prosecutor. They may call their witnesses. They then decide whether the evidence is sufficient to indict the accused.

Similarly, arraignment refers to the process where the person who has been suspected appears in the court. The juvenile judges read the charges made against the suspect. The suspect can plead either guilty or not guilty to each charge. The judge then decides on the plea entered into and on the defendant’s bail.

According to Texas laws, Peter has the right to face and interrogate observers who are testifying against him in the court. This means that he can address the individuals testifying through his lawyer. He also has the right to have charges demonstrated past a sensible uncertainty. Peter is likely to go through formal court proceedings. This is because of the laws which are set by the state, for example, over speeding and burglary. During the trial, Peter will either be presumed guilty or innocent. The judges will use the evidence available. Based on the evidence, the jury approves the innocence or guilt of Peter. The case will be dismissed if the evidence is not enough. But if the evidence is enough, Peter will be sentenced (Feld, 1994).

Disposition is essentially the condemning part of the trial. Its motivation is to decide the most proper type of treatment or authority for adolescent guilty parties. From this, Peter can either be given house arrest or secured in a juvenile facility for a more extended period until he reforms. After Peter has exited the court system, he will have learned the consequences of wrongdoings. This will translate him into a pleasant and morally upright person.

References

Bazemore, S. G., & Walgrave, L. (1999). Restorative juvenile justice: Repairing the harm of youth crime (pp. 45-74). Monsey, NY: Criminal Justice Press.

Feld, B. C. (1994). Violent youth and public policy: A case study of juvenile justice law reform. Minn. L. Rev., 79, 965.