Explain how the juvenile court differs from the adult court. Provide at least four examples of how proceedings differ

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

There are many ways in which juvenile court proceedings differ from those in the adult court. First, at least in theory, the emphasis in juvenile court is on helping the child. In adult court, in contrast, the focus is on punishment. Second, juvenile courts stress informal proceedings. In the adult court, in contrast, there is greater emphasis placed on the rules of evidence and formal procedures. Third, juvenile proceedings are based on civil, rather than criminal, law. This is why the language is different, why the juvenile record is not admissible in adult court, and why proceedings seem to blend both civil and criminal law. Fourth, secret proceedings are still the norm in juvenile court. This theoretically protects the child. While members of the public may walk into almost any courtroom in the country and watch proceedings for adult offenders, members of the public are not allowed to watch juvenile court proceedings. Fifth, there are rarely jury trials in juvenile court, which reinforces the non-adversarial nature of the proceedings.
NOTE: Other acceptable answers may describe the rehabilitative focus of the juvenile system and that different terminology and procedures are used in order to lessen the stigmatizing effect of the criminal process as compared to the adult process.