Explain the primary differences between juvenile and adult courts and the reasons for these differences.

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

There are important differences between the adult court system and the juvenile court system. These
differences reflect the doctrines of parens patriae and in loco parentis; together, these doctrines ensure
that the juvenile court, like other problem-solving courts, will emphasize rehabilitation, rather than
punishment, of the youth. Similar to drug treatment courts, the focus of the juvenile court is on solving
the underlying problems responsible for the youth’s criminal behavior.
Perhaps the most important difference between the two types of court systems is that juvenile court
hearings are considered quasi-civil, rather than criminal, proceedings. Whereas adults found guilty are
convicted of a crime, juveniles are adjudicated delinquent. Juvenile court proceedings also are less
formal than those found in criminal courts: The judge may or may not wear judicial robes and may or may
not be seated on a raised bench, and there is more direct interaction between the judge and the juvenile.
Another important difference is that juvenile court proceedings, unlike criminal court hearings, are not
open to the public, and law enforcement and court personnel are prohibited from releasing the names of
juveniles to the media. Finally, with very few exceptions, there is no right to a jury trial in juvenile court.
The primary reason for these differences is the difference in the purpose of both courts. Juvenile court’s
purpose is focused on rehabilitation of juvenile offenders, not punishment as demonstrated in the adult
court system. Additionally, juvenile court hearings are quasi-civil which result in much more informal
proceedings than adult criminal cases.