Question

List and explain each of the stages in the juvenile justice process. What do you view as the most critical stage? Why?

Answer 1

The stages involved in the proceedings of a Juvenile case are as follows:

1. Intake officer:

The Juvenile is brought to an intake officer who makes a decision whether there is enough evidence to make a charge against him/her.

2. Release or detained

If there is not enough evidence or the crime committed is not severe, the juvenile is released into custody of his or her parents or guardian. However, if there is enough evidence against the juvenile, then s/he is held in a youth detention center. In case If the person is detained, then there must be a hearing within 72 hours to determine if proceedings should continue. The judge in charge decides between three options: dismiss the case , have an informal adjustment hearing or call for a formal court hearing.

Informal adjustment

This is used in case the juvenile is a first time offender and if s/he admits guilt to the judge , s/he is placed under the supervision of the courts for 90 days. At this stage, the condition is laid that He or she must Continue to attend school regularly, participate in counseling, pay fines or for any damages, or do complete community service.

4. Adjudicatory hearing

Here, the Juvenile judge hears the case and the judge decides if the juvenile is guilty after reviewing all of the evidence. juvenile cases proceed without any hearings by juries.

5.Disposition hearing

At this stage, The Judge determines the punishment for juvenile after calling witnesses and seeing evidence that might influence the judge’s sentence or decision.

6. Sentencing

The judge rules on the juveniles punishment- including probation, admission to the youth detention center, monetary fines, and/or mandatory counseling and school attendance

7. Appeal

As a final resort, the sentences juvenile has the right to file for an appeal against the judge’s ruling if there is enough evidence to prove innocence in the matter.

Based on the above description, it is quite evident that the fifth stage, of disposition hearing is quite crucial to the Juvenile justice process as it ensures that a final decision is made after much deliberation on the case in light of the evidence. Moreover, the additional need for witness accounts in determining the appropriate sentence ensures that the decision of a sentence given is ethically appropriate and proportional to the crime or offence committed.