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CREWS - Introduction to Juvenile Justice

Last updated about 1 year ago
12 questions
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How many youth under the age of 18 are confined in facilities away from home on any given night in America?

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What percentage of individuals arrested at age 17 or younger had been rearrested within three years of their release?

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What does the term "school to prison pipeline" refer to?

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Why is rehabilitation considered important for young people in the justice system, according to the video?

What is the Juvenile Justice System?

The juvenile justice system in Georgia exists to address alleged criminal conduct by persons who are 17 years of age or younger. The juvenile justice system attempts to balance punishment and protecting the public with sentencing options that promote rehabilitation. The juvenile justice system also protects minors from a very harsh adult justice system and sentencing.

When juveniles in Georgia are accused of a crime they almost always are processed through the juvenile justice system. In matters involving highly egregious or horrific crimes, especially for minors between 13-17 years of age, they may be tried as an adult.

Special Rights of Juveniles

When a juvenile is taken into custody, he or she has several rights. The rights that are afforded to juveniles include:
  • The right not to have their names or photographs made public
  • The right to not self-incriminate and to be counseled on what self-incrimination is
  • The right not to be placed with adult offenders
  • Notice of charges
  • Counsel (Lawyer)
  • Confront and cross-examine witnesses
  • Transcript of proceedings
  • Appellate review
  • Proof beyond a reasonable doubt
  • No double jeopardy
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What is the main aim of the juvenile justice system in Georgia?

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In Georgia, when can a minor be tried as an adult?

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What is a right afforded to a juvenile when taken into custody?

Who Manages the Juvenile Justice System?

The Georgia Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ) is the State agency that manages matters involving youthful offenders. The DJJ website describes their operation as, “The Georgia Department of Juvenile Justice is a multi-faceted agency that serves the state`s youthful offenders up to the age of 21. Each day, at 26 facilities and 97 community services offices throughout the state, more than 3,500 DJJ employees work diligently to effect justice as well as redirect and shape the young lives in the agency`s care so they can take responsibility for their delinquent conduct as well as become contributing members of society. At the same time, DJJ seeks to protect the victims of crimes so that they can rebuild their lives.”

Steps in the Juvenile Justice Process

There are several steps in the juvenile justice process. These steps include:
  1. Intake: Begins process by which child may be adjudicated delinquent or unruly or may be prosecuted as adult. Child may be referred to court through complaint or charge from police, school resource officer, parent, or other citizen. Child taken into custody is turned over to intake officer, who decides whether child should be temporarily detained to protect child or public, to prevent child from running away, or if child is without proper supervision.
  2. Informal Adjustment - Detention: Court or intake officer determines if probable cause exists; whether to commence case in juvenile court; and whether to continue detention (if applicable) pending adjudicatory hearing. Intake officer may decide to use informal adjustment (basically informal probation) if child admits wrongdoing. If child violates informal adjustment agreement, will return to court for adjudication.
  3. Petition: Formal document charging child with delinquency or unruliness. May only be filed if court or prosecutor has found both probable cause and that filing is in child’s best interests.
  4. Adjudication: Equivalent to adult trial, where judge hears witnesses, reviews other evidence, and decides whether to adjudicate juvenile delinquent or unruly (comparable to finding of guilty or not guilty in adult court). There is no right to jury trial.
  5. Disposition: Equivalent to adult sentencing. Possible dispositions include release to parents, probation, 30-day short-term sentence, commitment to the Department of Juvenile Justice, and restrictive custody at a Youth Development Center ("YDC").
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What is the main responsibility of the Georgia Department of Juvenile Justice?

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What age does the Georgia Department of Juvenile Justice serve up to?

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What is the purpose of informal adjustment in the juvenile justice process?

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What does the Disposition step in the juvenile justice process equate to in adult court?

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In your own words in 4-5 sentences...

Describe how the criminal justice process is different for an adult and for a juvenile. Write about a few key things that stand out to you.