Juvenile and Adult Courts: A Comparative Analysis

br Juvenile and Adult Courts

Juvenile and Adult Courts : A Comparative Analysis

Abstract

An attempt is made in this essay to compare the nature of adult courts and juvenile courts . Merits and demerits of both are highlighted Attempt is also made to suggest specific reforms to make juvenile courts tolerable to young offenders . There are obvious differences between juvenile and adult courts . In this essay , we attempt an exercise of comparison between juvenile and adult courts . Endeavour is made to study merits and demerits of juvenile courts . Attempt is also made

to analyse the social implications of abolishing a juvenile judicial system

As the names suggest , adult courts deal with question of possibility of crimes committed by adults juvenile courts on the other hand , deal with the supposed crimes committed by the minors or juveniles

Let us first look at the salient features of adult courts . For this , there is need to analyse systematically the basic principles of American judicial system . Among the adult courts , there are different types of courts such as the state courts and the federal courts . There are also courts with limited powers and jurisdiction . The American judicial system is like a pyramid . At the base of this pyramid are the trial courts and at the top , there is Supreme Court . Two important features of American courts are doctrines of separation of powers and judicial review . These features have given special powers to the American courts when compared with courts in other regions . They can challenge even the actions of the government based on provisions of American constitution . The person who is not satisfied with the decision of trial courts may appeal to higher courts . Jury is an important part of American judicial system (Meador , 1991 ) The trials regarding cases in these courts are usually open to public . Those people facing charges can get bail . Certain important terminologies used in the case of adult courts are bail hearing , trial , complaint , defendant , verdict and guilty . One can discern these different stages in adult courts (Komisaruk , 2004 ) When a person is arrested on certain grounds , first he will apply for bail , which is given after bail hearing . Bail may be rejected in the case of some people . In the last stage of this procedure , the court will declare its verdict and it will state whether the person was guilty or not

During most of 19th century , juveniles were treated along with other adult criminals . While doing so , the juveniles were not treated properly and they were considered as equivalent to other criminals . In 20th century , it was realized that juveniles needed to be given special treatment . However , it is also felt by some people that too much stress is laid on rehabilitation process of juveniles and hence it is suggested that more punishment should be added in juvenile judicial system . Some scholars argue that more legal rights should be given to minors who face charges of violation of rule of law of the state (Monk , 2001b

Different procedure followed...