Juvenile Offenses
A person under the age of 18 accused of a criminal offense is usually prosecuted in juvenile court. In juvenile court, there is no right to a trial by jury but the goal is to help the child, not punish them. There are diversionary programs available for first time children charged with less serious offenses. Children with a longer record or more serious offenses may be sent to a program. If the child is old enough and the offense serious enough the State may chose to prosecute a juvenile in adult court.