Indiana Juvenile Justice System
Introduction
Juvenile courts in Indiana are designed to handle cases for children under the age of 18 who arrested for breaking the law. The two types of offenses in a juvenile court are delinquent offenses or status offenses. Delinquent offenses include crimes that can also be committed by adults, for example, shoplifting or driving a car without a license, among others. Status offenses are crimes that only children can commit and include underage drinking, among many others. When a child is taken to a juvenile court, there are only two possible outcomes, release, or detention.
System of Justice
In a juvenile court, various things happen. For example, a child can be allowed to request probation instead of appearing before a judge. A judge can alternatively choose three other actions, one, put the child on a probation period, two, order the child to undergo correction, or three, close the case altogether. Additionally, the judge can also order the child to be taken for counseling, serve in community work, or meet a mentor. Children, when taken to juvenile court, enjoy their fundamental rights. One of them is the right to have an attorney or public defender. The public defender represents and helps the child to understand the case, and the results wanted. The second one is the right to privacy when they are being interrogated.
Difference between Juvenile and Adult Justice Systems
Children and adults are handled differently throughout the process of prosecution. The justice system emphasizes that the youths should undergo a rehabilitation process after serving a sentence, as this helps them to become law-abiding citizens. At the same time, the juvenile system takes into account the level of maturity in children is not the same as that of an adult. It also recognizes that youth should take responsibility for their actions. Children also enjoy the special protection of their rights like the right to a defense lawyer and privacy when police are questioning them. Criminal justice for children is completed as fast as possible since their sense of time is quite different from that of an adult. The youth justice systems have a provision that allows parents to be notified about actions taken against their children. Parents are also entitled to talk to defense lawyers and justice officials in support of their children, especially during court hearings, and sentencing. Victims are allowed to participate and be provided with all information about their case proceedings.
The Role of Politicians
The juvenile justice system is a legal institution for children in the United States, and politicians are the decision-makers. Decision making in the juvenile justice system should be done in a way that will ensure equity and fairness. Politicians should provide funding for rehabilitation programs and set assessment structures that can measure rehabilitation outcomes. Well-structured decision-making systems should be developed where clear decision-making options exist. A juvenile policy with a balanced interpretation of the principles of accountability in juvenile justice should be in place. Politicians should examine the existing criminal codes from an international human rights perspective. State legislatures should maintain the authority to enact laws that govern the juvenile justice system.
Conclusion
Juvenile justice system act states that every young person must be held responsible for their criminal actions. However, it may not be in the same way or extent as for adults. The society should ensure that youth offenders are rehabilitated for them to become productive members of the community. When a youth is found guilty of a criminal offense, the judge must give out appropriate ruling as provided for in the penal code.