Unit 12
Juvenile
Justice System
What is life like inside a
juvenile detention center?
What You Will Learn
○ How Georgia’s justice system works
○ Compare Georgia’s juvenile & adult processes
○ Look at ways to solve conflicts without
becoming part of the justice system
Standards
SS8CG6 The student will explain how the Georgia court system treats juvenile
offenders.
a. Explain the difference between delinquent behavior and unruly behavior and the
consequences of each.
b. Describe the rights of juveniles when taken into custody.
c. Describe the juvenile justice system, emphasizing the different jurisdictions,
terminology, and steps in the juvenile justice process.
d. Explain the seven delinquent behaviors that can subject juvenile offenders to the adult
criminal justice process, how the decision to transfer to adult court is made, and the
possible consequences.
Unit 12 Terms - Put these in your notebook
as p. 1 for Unit 12
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
Truancy
Delinquent act
Juvenile
Status offense
Unruly juvenile
Deprived juvenile
Intake
Detention
Informal adjustment
Formal hearing
Summons
Sentencing
Rule of Law
Youth Detention Center
I. Juvenile Court System
Juvenile courts have 3 main purposes:
1.
Help and protect the well-being of children
2.
Make sure that any child coming under the jurisdiction of
the court receives care, guidance and control that is needed
3.
To provide care for children who have been removed from
their homes
B.
Juvenile delinquent: someone under 17 who has committed a
delinquent act and is thought to be in need of treatment or
rehab
A.
C.
D.
Unruly child: a child who commits an act that
would not be considered a crime if
committed by an adult (status offender)
When juveniles commit a crime they are
“taken into custody” rather than “under
arrest.”
JUVENILE
ADULT
Age
17 and under
18 and up
Miss school/work
Truancy
Fired
Run Away
Status offense
Legal
Alcohol (use/buy)
Status offense
Legal
Tobacco (use/buy)
Status offense
Legal
Curfews
Midnight – 5 a.m.
None
Obey Parents
Required by law
Optional
Break Laws
Delinquent act
Crime
Captured by police
Taken into custody
Arrested
Trial
No jury – judge decides
Jury of peers
Bail
Released to parents
Yes if you pay $$
Sentencing
Probation, YDC, DJJ, boot camp,
fines, lose drivers license, etc.
Fines, jail, rights revoked
Which of those are DELINQUENT and which are UNRULY?
II. Rights/Responsibilities of Juveniles
Rights
A.
1.
2.
Right to a speedy, FAIR trial (judge
not jury)
In school u maintain constitutional
rights (freedom of religion, speech,
press, right to assemble, right to
petition, rights against
unreasonable searches and
seizures)
Responsibilities
B.
1.
2.
3.
Must attend school from 6 – 16
Must follow rules and regulations,
behavior and dress codes
Cannot disrupt or create violence in
school
1. Explain the difference between a deprived child,
an unruly child, and a juvenile delinquent.
2. What is the difference between unruliness and
delinquency?
3. What are three examples of unruly behavior?
4. What are three examples of delinquent behavior?
III. Steps in Juvenile Justice System
1st step: intake
A.
1.
2.
3.
4.
2nd step: detention hearing
B.
1.
1.
E.
Judge decides whether to detain (sets date for adjudicatory hearing in
10 days or less) or release (sets date for hearing within 60 days)
3rd step: adjudicatory hearing
C.
D.
Not enough evidence: released
handle case through informal adjustment and set up counseling
move the case to a child services agency
file a petition for a detention hearing
Like a trial with no jury, judge determines guilty or not, schedules
second hearing if guilty and determines punishment for offense
(sentence)
4th step: dispositional court - judge has many options for sentencing
Juvenile CAN appeal
Sentencing of Bill Thomas
1. What kind of activities did Bill’s friend say Bill was involved in now?
2. What did the police officer find in Bill’s vest pocket?
3. Where did the police officer take Bill after he was arrested?
4. What crimes did Bill plead guilty to?
5. What were the judge’s two choices as to what to do with Bill?
6. How old is Bill?
7. What sport at school did Bill participate in?
8. Why does Bill’s mother need him at home?
9. What were the terms of Bill’s original probation?
10. What reason does Bill give for not telling who possessed the vial of
crack cocaine?
V. Georgia’s 7 Deadly Sins Act
A.
B.
C.
1994 – GA passed an amendment
allowing youths charged with
certain crimes to be tried as
adults.
The crimes are: Murder,
Voluntary Manslaughter, Rape,
Aggravated Sodomy,
Aggravated Child Molestation,
Aggravated Sexual Battery,
Armed Robbery if committed
with a firearm
Aggravated describes something
that makes the crime worse or
VI. Consequences of 7 Deadlies
A.
B.
C.
JUST because a youth has been
arrested for one of the 7 deadly sins,
that does not mean he or she will
definitely be tried in the adult
system.
Before an indictment, the superior
court determines in which court the
case will be heard.
If convicted in superior court, the
juvenile serves a mandatory 10 year
sentence without the possibility
of parole.
SS8CG6d
Review Georgia’s Juvenile System
1.
Explain the four steps that a juvenile will experience in
the court system.
2.
List the 7 crimes that, if committed, will result in a
juvenile being tried as an adult.
3.
What rights do you have as a juvenile in GA?
4.
What responsibilities do you have as a juvenile in GA?
Performance Task
In a move to save money, the Georgia General Assembly is considering
eliminating the separate juvenile court system. Under the proposed
restructuring, all cases, juvenile and adult, would be tried in the same court
system. You are a juvenile defender. You have been selected by your peers to
testify before the General Assembly as an advocate for keeping juvenile and
adult cases in separate courts. You plan to be fully prepared. You will have a
forceful speech and visual aids.
First, write a speech in which you explain:
• the differences between the juvenile and adult justice systems
• the difference between juvenile delinquent behaviors and unruly behaviors
• the need to protect the rights of juveniles
• the role rule of law plays in protecting juvenile rights
Emphasize any concerns you have about these rights being lost in an adult court.
This is usually an emotional issue. If you wish, play on the sympathy of the
members of the General Assembly in your speech.
Prepare a visual showing the differences between juvenile justice and adult justice
systems. You may present your ideas as a poster, PowerPoint, or any other
visual way you feel would better suit the situation. Be prepared to deliver your
speech orally and have a paper copy of your notes to turn in after your speech.