People's common assumption towards Juvenile justice and adult justice systems is that they are considered two different systems because of the age differences and the treatments in these two systems. Despite these significant differences between these two systems, there are still various similarities in them. Nonetheless, this paper expounds on these two systems by comparing and contrasting the juvenile and adult criminal justice systems. The paper analyzes and describes their similarities as well as their differences.
Comparison of the Justice Systems
Although the justice system for juveniles claims to be independent of the adult justice system, these systems have common aspects in many ways. Therefore, similarities between them do exist. Some of the similarities are as follows: First, the correctional personnel, police officers, and judges utilize the discretion decisions in both adult and the juvenile systems both juveniles and adult offenders have a right to receive warnings. There is the protection of juveniles and adults from prejudicial lineups as well as the procedures of identification. The two systems also share similar procedural safeguards for protecting juveniles and adults following their guilt admission. The defense and prosecutor attorneys have essential roles in juveniles and adults advocacy.
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Adults and juveniles enjoy the counsel right to all the primary stages within the processes of the court. The systems also share pretrial motions in court proceedings. Similarly, plea bargains and negotiations are also available for both adult and juvenile offenders. Adult and juveniles have a right to appeal and court hearing. The offenders in the two systems can be placed on probation and placed in pretrial detention facilities. Also, for adults and children considered to be dangerous, they are kept on bail without detention. Siegel and Welsh, 2017) point out that both children and adults are subjected to drug testing and are placed in treatment programs within the community. Also, adult and juvenile offenders are encouraged to use boot camp correctional facilities.
The contrast between the justice systems
The differences between children and adult systems are many, as shown under this section. First, the main goal for juvenile procedures is to offer the right treatment and protection. At the same time, the adult justice system aims to punish the guilty. Age is a factor that determines jurisdiction under the juvenile court.
The juvenile justice system proceedings are looked at from a criminal perspective, as is the case with adult proceedings. The procedures of the juvenile court are private and informal. Yet, adult justice systems court proceedings can be shared with the public through the press and done formally. Parents are considered part and parcel of the juvenile court process, but parents are not involved in adult court processes. There are no rights for juveniles to a constitutional jury trial, which most adults enjoy it. It is only adults who are sentenced to state prisons or county jails but not children.
Analysis of similarities
Though punishment is the primary mission of both the justice system , there is discretion in both systems' decision-making. Punishment is an important goal when it comes to the handling of either offender. Both systems use the Miranda warnings, make use of identification procedures and offer procedural safeguards in protecting the rights of the offenders after admitting guilt. Siegel and Welsh (2017) also mention that both systems place the offenders on probation, detention facilities, community treatment programs, boot camp correctional facilities, and undergo drug testing.
Analysis of differences
LaMance (2017) points out that the main aim in juvenile justice is not to prosecute the young offenders for crimes they have committed but to punish and train them not to commit acts of delinquency. Dangerous juveniles are tried and prosecuted just like the adult offenders system. Young offenders do not enjoy a public jury trial. However, the judge will examine evidence and give a ruling to determine young offenders' mistakes via a hearing of adjudication. Thus, the action of the judge differs from what the same judge would have done adult offender.
Conclusion
Juveniles have not attained 18, while adults are individuals with the age of 18 and above. Juveniles engaged in criminal acts receive a different status because they consider them less understanding of the laws and receive a kind punishment. However, adults involved in the same crimes as those committed by juveniles will be incarcerated and arrested.
References
LaMance, K. (2017). Juvenile vs. adult criminal justice . Retrieved 3/30/14 from http://www.legalmatch.com/law-library/article/juvenile-vs-adult-criminal-system.html
Siegel, L. J., & Welsh, B. C. (2017). Juvenile delinquency: theory, practice, and law . (11 Ed.). Belmont, CA: Wadsworth, Cengage Learning.
