The arresting officer will decide if the child should be turned over to a parent or taken to a juvenile detention facility. Prosecutors normally allow cases to go to the Diversion Unit when the criminal allegations are less serious and the youth does not already have a juvenile record. It says what the state thinks your child did. All Rights Reserved.

In some cases, arrests are made without adequate probable cause. A crime is considered a wrong against the State, and the people of the State file charges.
A plea of guilty or not guilty is entered at arraignment. During these hearings, the defense and prosecutor will have an opportunity to interview witnesses, the alleged victim, and the evidence that will be used if the case proceeds to trial. A petition asks the court to get involved. If the defendant is in detention, a hearing can be requested to return the juvenile to a parent. If charges are filed, your child will be mailed a Summons or notice to appear at the Arraignment Hearing. Outcomes that result from negotiations with the prosecutor can be more favorable and less risky than a juvenile trial.

The probation department files this petition.
Terms of the diversion agreement can include: If the diversion agreement is not signed or if the conditions are not followed, the case would be given to the prosecutor for charges to be filed. A juvenile court (or young offender's court) is a tribunal having special authority to pass judgements for crimes that are committed by children or adolescents who have not attained the age of majority.In most modern legal systems, children or teens who commit a crime are treated differently from legal adults that have committed the same offense.

Successful completion of the terms of the diversion agreement will prevent the minor from having a juvenile criminal record. In most cases, juvenile court procedures are held before the judge.

In a juvenile case, the victim does not bring charges against the accused.

Disclaimer, Bellevue, Kirkland, Redmond, Kent, Shoreline, Everett, Renton, Tacoma, Federal Way, Sammamish, Issaquah, Case transferred to Diversion (alternative program that prevents a juvenile conviction), Preventing a Decline Hearing (hearing that determines if a juvenile will be tried as an adult), The age of the juvenile defendant (minors who have reached the age of 16 are more likely to be tried as an adult), Restitution (Money paid to the victim for damages). Why does juvenile court exist?

In some cases, arrests are made without adequate probable cause. The Juvenile Court Process . The 4th Amendment protects us from unreasonable searches and seizures. The Juvenile Court Case Process The Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP) has published material charting the flow of the typical juvenile court case process .

How juvenile cases are handled.