Difference Between Criminal Courts And Juvenile Courts

Discussion #13
There are many differences between juvenile and criminal courts. First off there is no bail for juveniles. In juvenile court the child is not called the defendant he or she is called a minor. The documents list the charges against the child as a petition rather than a complaint. There are no trails for minors instead there are jurisdictional hearings or adjudications. There are no jurys. In these hearings it is common for a judge or bench officer to question parents or guardians about their child. Juvenile courts are closed to the public. There are a big difference between the two.