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Juvenile Court System Essay

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Juvenile Court System Essay
Children, in the legal system, are classified often in a separate class from adults. Unlike adults, children are looked at as persons that are less blameworthy and have the capability to change. For purposes of abuse/neglect, the juvenile court may exercise jurisdiction until the child reaches his 18th birthday. (Section 211.031.1(1), RSMo. For purposes of status offenses, the juvenile court may exercise jurisdiction until the juvenile reaches his 17th birthday. (Section 211.031.1(2), RSMo. Anyone over these ages are trialed as an adult.

Juveniles do not have the same constitutional rights as adults do. This means a juvenile's hearing is heard solely by a judge due to juveniles do not have the right to trial by jury. Juveniles are not able to bail or have a public trial. A lot of precautions are also given to Juveniles that would not be given to an adult in the justice system. All of the records are sealed so they will not be “haunted” by their offenses. Eligibility for record sealing includes: age, when the offense was committed, type of juvenile offense, and subsequent arrests or convictions. Some states will automatically seal the
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I think the precaution, guidelines, and programs the juvenile court offers helps to set children on the right path. One specific program I specifically agree with is Diversion. Especially for first time and low risk offenders, it helps to clear an offender's record while teaching them a “barrable” lesson at the same time. Some other programs: Multidimensional Treatment Foster Care, Functional Family Therapy, etc. I think help benefit kids when they are not so lucky in receiving the proper structure from guardians (especially parents) when growing up. Some of the problem on why kids are committing crimes so young deal with the structure of their home life, and I think the juvenile court helps to bring in and make clear rules and enforce them in each family

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