{"id":352424,"date":"2023-08-21T15:44:08","date_gmt":"2023-08-21T20:44:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/criminal\/juvenile-justice\/juvenile-crime.html"},"modified":"2023-08-21T15:44:08","modified_gmt":"2023-08-21T20:44:08","slug":"juvenile-crime","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/criminal\/juvenile-justice\/juvenile-crime.html","title":{"rendered":"Sentencing for Juvenile Crime"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\n \n
\n

Sentencing for\u00a0Juvenile Crime<\/h1>\n
\n
\n By Lyle Therese A. Hilotin-Lee, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Rhonda Earhart, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
\n

This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
\n

The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n

\n

The juvenile justice system considers a minor offender’s age, criminal history, and the severity of the offense when determining sentencing for a juvenile crime. Serious or violent offenses may call for blending sentencing, which combines juvenile and adult sanctions.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n\n

If your child is facing juvenile criminal charges, it’s essential to understand sentencing options and their implications. Contact a criminal defense attorney<\/a> in your area to explore alternatives and protect your child’s rights.<\/p>\n

This article describes juvenile crime and sentencing in the juvenile justice system. It gives basic information about alernatives to incarceration and blended sentencing for violent crimes.<\/p>\n

Detaining a Juvenile<\/h2>\n

Law enforcement officials may arrest or detain a juvenile for a felony offense or misdemeanor<\/a>. Unlike criminal cases, the police do not have to witness a misdemeanor to take the juvenile into custody at a juvenile detention facility. They only need probable cause to believe a crime was committed. They can even arrest upon reasonable cause to believe the minor is a truant.<\/p>\n

Juveniles Standing Trial as Adults<\/h2>\n

Having a minor stand trial as an adult in a superior court is a highly controversial topic in the country, particularly when considering the severity of the crime. If the child meets certain conditions while in juvenile detention, the court will set the bail terms for the criminal offense. The officer can transfer them to an adult detention center<\/a>. The offenses often relate to severe crimes or violent crimes.<\/p>\n

The juvenile court’s authority over that case is then terminated. Once tried and convicted of criminal charges, any sentence of incarceration is to an adult facility. Likewise, any probation<\/a> is supervised by probation officers who supervise adult offenders.<\/p>\n

Blended Sentencing as an Alternative<\/h2>\n

States legislated the blended sentencing provision to fill the gap in sentencing between juveniles and adults<\/a>. This provision served as an alternative when dealing with violent juveniles. In some cases, the provisions allow the juvenile offender to avoid adult sentencing. This applies in particular if the juvenile offender complies with the juvenile sentence.<\/p>\n

Blended sentencing has five basic models. These models are:<\/p>\n

Juvenile Inclusive<\/h3>\n

The juvenile courts simultaneously impose both adult and juvenile correctional sanctions, but the adult sanction is suspended in case of no revocation or violation.<\/p>\n

Juvenile Exclusive<\/h3>\n

The juvenile courts impose sanctions involving either the adult or the juvenile correctional system.<\/p>\n

Juvenile Contiguous<\/h3>\n

Juvenile courts impose a juvenile correctional sentence that stays in force beyond the age of extended jurisdiction. In certain states, some procedures can be invoked to transfer the case<\/a> to the adult correctional system.<\/p>\n

Criminal Inclusive<\/h3>\n

The criminal court imposes both adult and juvenile correctional sanctions. The court suspends the adult sentence unless the individual commits a new offense or violates a condition of probation<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Criminal Exclusive<\/h3>\n

The criminal court can impose either adult or juvenile correctional sanctions.<\/p>\n

These blended sentencing rules show ongoing innovation and debates\u2014mainly focusing on how to punish juvenile offenders<\/a> and ensure the juvenile’s mental health.<\/p>\n

Alternatives to Juvenile Incarceration<\/h2>\n

The juvenile court system<\/a> has several sentencing alternatives at its disposal. The phrase \u201ccommunity-based alternatives" refers to a wide range of approaches for youth in the criminal justice system. They aim to limit how often youth get involved with the juvenile justice system and how frequently they get incarcerated. Alternatives include:<\/p>\n