Juvenile Murder Charges: How They Differ from Adult Cases

Most criminal accusations will see minors charged in juvenile court. However, there are instances where accusations of murder may see a minor’s case transitioned into the adult criminal court circuit. However, just what is the difference between these two circuits?

Our board-certified team at Fighter Law, including lawyers Thomas Feiter and Jessica Travis, will work hard to ensure your rights are protected in a murder case. 

Juvenile Murder Cases: What to Know

Criminal cases involving juvenile defendants most often take place in juvenile court. Cases heard in juvenile court tend to be less formal than those that take place when someone is tried in adult court or as an adult. Most of these cases move forward without a jury and focus on emphasizing the conditions that led the defendant to act as they did.

However, applicable judges have the right to have a juvenile tried as an adult in the wake of severe crimes. Juveniles tried as adults do not benefit from the leniencies of the juvenile court and can face imprisonment, fines, and other consequences without concern for their case’s extenuating circumstances. 

Juveniles Have Greater Right to Confidentiality Following a Murder Case

Individuals tried for murder in juvenile court benefit from improved confidentiality rights as opposed to those tried in adult court. Most court proceedings that take place in juvenile court will seal their transcripts, records, and proceedings upon the closing of a case.

Juvenile courts strive to keep their cases as private as possible to protect a child’s privacy. Comparatively, adult courts tend to make information about murder proceedings public by including relevant transcripts and records as part of public records.

Notably, the privacy that juvenile courts offer isn’t complete. While outsiders won’t have the opportunity to understand why a defendant went to court, anyone filing a background check on the defendant will find that the defendant has a criminal record, even if they can’t access its details.

Juvenile Charges Prioritize Rehabilitation

The criminal system that charges adults pushes to have those adults face consequences that match their alleged crimes in severity. Juvenile courts take a different approach, emphasizing rehabilitation over punishment. Most judges want minors to learn from their mistakes and avoid repeating them. As such, the consequences convicted juveniles face may include the following:

• Counseling
• Community service
• Probation
• Mandatory participation in educational programs designed to prevent incarceration
• Drug treatment programs

In most cases, no juvenile will be sentenced to time spent in an adult prison. More often than not, a juvenile convicted of a crime will return to a juvenile detention center or join a group home.

Can a Minor Accused of Murder Benefit From Going to Juvenile Court?

Will a minor accused of murder automatically have their case elevated to adult court? Not necessarily, but the answer depends on the circumstances that led to the incident in question. 

It is always in a person’s best interest to speak to an attorney about the accusations leveled against them if they want to better understand what their experience within the criminal system might look like. Fortunately, you can book a consultation with a private defense attorney immediately after your arrest.

Our Criminal Defense Attorneys Are Here to Advocate For You

Our criminal defense attorneys take allegations of murder seriously, especially when a minor is allegedly involved in a case. We want to ensure that a minor accused of murder has access to the legal representation they need to understand their rights and protect their futures.

Fortunately, our team provides comprehensive advocacy to all of our clients, from minors to adults. Our clients can trust us to cultivate personalized defense strategies on their behalf as their cases progress through the criminal system. If you need representation to overcome the charges brought against you, you can contact our team online or by calling (407) 344-4837.

Share: