African-American Youth in The Juvenile Justice System
African-American Youth in The Juvenile Justice System
African-American Youth in The Juvenile Justice System
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Next, the County Attorney's staff will review the <strong>in</strong>formation, decide whether the<br />
evidence supports charges, and, if so, file charges. If there is not enough evidence, the<br />
case may be rejected or returned to the officer for additional <strong>in</strong>vestigation.<br />
Detention<br />
In some situations, a juvenile may be taken <strong>in</strong>to custody and deta<strong>in</strong>ed. <strong>The</strong> police officer<br />
may release the juvenile to the custody of a parent or guardian, place the juvenile <strong>in</strong> a<br />
shelter care facility, or cont<strong>in</strong>ue the detention. <strong>The</strong> law requires that a juvenile be<br />
released from detention unless certa<strong>in</strong> extreme circumstances exist. Most juveniles <strong>in</strong><br />
detention must come before the court with<strong>in</strong> 24 to 48 hours for a detention hear<strong>in</strong>g.<br />
Most juvenile offenders are not deta<strong>in</strong>ed. <strong>The</strong>y are summoned to court by a mailed<br />
notice.<br />
Locations of Hear<strong>in</strong>gs<br />
<strong>The</strong> hear<strong>in</strong>gs, described on the follow<strong>in</strong>g page, may take place <strong>in</strong> different locations. A<br />
juvenile offender's arraignment hear<strong>in</strong>g, pre-trial hear<strong>in</strong>g and trial occurs <strong>in</strong> the county<br />
where the crime was committed. <strong>The</strong> disposition hear<strong>in</strong>g takes place <strong>in</strong> the county of<br />
residence.<br />
Arraignment<br />
At the arraignment hear<strong>in</strong>g, the juvenile will appear <strong>in</strong> court and be asked to "admit" or<br />
"deny" the offense alleged <strong>in</strong> the petition. <strong>Juvenile</strong>s are entitled to an attorney and may<br />
apply for an attorney to be appo<strong>in</strong>ted to represent them. An admission is equivalent to a<br />
guilty plea. Upon admission, the juvenile's case goes to disposition, either immediately<br />
or <strong>in</strong> the future. A denial leads to a trial.<br />
Pretrial Hear<strong>in</strong>g<br />
In some jurisdictions, the judge may order a pretrial hear<strong>in</strong>g to decide issues of law<br />
before trial. Citizen witnesses are usually not called to testify at these hear<strong>in</strong>gs. <strong>The</strong><br />
juvenile may admit at this hear<strong>in</strong>g.<br />
Trial<br />
In most cases, juvenile trials are held before the judge. However, <strong>in</strong> some <strong>in</strong>stances a<br />
juvenile can request a jury trial. A juvenile offender has the same legal protections<br />
dur<strong>in</strong>g trial as an adult charged with a similar crime. <strong>The</strong> judge or jury will make a<br />
determ<strong>in</strong>ation that the petition is "proven" or "not proven." If the judge f<strong>in</strong>ds that the<br />
petition has been proven, the case proceeds to a disposition hear<strong>in</strong>g.<br />
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