An Analysis in Relation to Mrs. Ingrim’s 15-Year Old Teenager Essay

Introduction

In the past, the criminal justice system treated minors the same way as adults. They were subjected to penalties similar to those meted out on adult offenders (Hendricks, 2010). However, today, the laws have changed. In most jurisdictions, a juvenile is a person between the ages of ten and eighteen. As a result, infantile delinquents are not treated the same way as adult offenders. In this paper, the author will focus on juvenile and adult crimes by analyzing the case of Mrs. Ingrim’s 15-year old child.

Responding to Mrs. Ingrim

According to the case, Mrs. Ingrim’s 15-year old child has committed the crime of grand theft auto. In addition, the kid has destroyed the automobile by crushing it into a storefront. Stealing a vehicle is a felony in most states (Lab, 2013). The punishment for the offense is imprisonment and fine. As an attorney specializing in juvenile cases, I would respond to Mrs. Ignrim by asking her to calm down and stop worrying about the possibility of her child being locked up in a county jail and harassed by other offenders. The reason for asking her to calm down is that according to the law, her kid is a minor. When a person below the age of 18 years commits a crime, they are taken through the juvenile system as opposed to the adult criminal justice procedure (Schmalleger, 2011). As a result, her teenager will be treated as a delinquent and not as a criminal. The most probable punishment would be probation, fine, restitution, or detention in a juvenile center. The child will not be taken into a county jail.

Steps to Defend Mrs. Ingrim’s Teenager in the Juvenile Justice Process

The stages involved in the juvenile justice system differ from those in the adult criminal procedure. In addition, the cases travel through the system faster compared to those dealing with grown-up offenders. The process includes intake, detention, hearing, sentencing, and appeal.

Intake

It is the first step after arrest. An intake official processes the juvenile at this stage. The detective determines whether or not there is enough evidence to file a charge against the offender (Champion, 2010). At this stage, the delinquent can be released to their parents. They can also be detained and taken to court.

Detention

If Mrs. Ingrim’s teenager is detained, a hearing has to be held within 72 hours. At the detention stage, a judge has three choices (Kratcoski, 2012). The options include dismissing the case, calling for an informal adjustment hearing, or ordering for a formal hearing. If the teenager is a first time offender, he will be taken through an informal adjustment hearing.

Hearing

At this stage, the judge listens to the case. The aim is to determine whether the juvenile is guilty or not. The determination is made after all the evidence is presented. In addition, witnesses may be called to give their testimonies (Shoemaker, 2009).

Sentencing

Based on the evidence presented, a juvenile can be assigned to boot camp, fined, referred for counseling, or placed on probation (Shoemaker, 2009). Other forms of punishment include community service and sentencing to YDC for up to 90 days.

Appeal

Appeal is the final step in the juvenile justice system (Lab, 2013). At this stage, the offender, with the help of their attorney, can appeal against the court ruling. They can petition the court to reduce the punishment or provide them with a platform to prove that the juvenile is innocent.

Steps to Take to Ensure that Every Justice System Stage is handled Properly

As an attorney, I will ensure that every step of the case is handled properly by making certain that the rights of Mrs. Ingrim’s teenager are upheld throughout the trial. For example, during evidence presentation, I will ensure that only admissible facts are brought before the court (Shoemaker, 2009).

Variations between the Juvenile and the Adult Criminal Justice Systems

There are a number of variations between the two forms of criminal justice systems. In most jurisdictions, minors are not put on trial for committing crimes or for delinquency. The offences may be termed as crimes depending on their seriousness. In such cases, the juvenile may be tried in an adult justice system (Lab, 2013).

Compared to adults, juveniles do not have a right to public prosecution by a jury (Schmalleger, 2011). The trial takes place through an adjudication process. In addition, minors do not have a right to bond (Burns, 2007). As a result, they may remain in custody throughout the trial process. They system has one major goal. The aim is a comprehensive rehabilitation of the child. On its part, the adult system’s primary aim is to punish the accused.

Sentencing Mrs. Ingrim’s Teenager as the Judge

If I were the judge, I would find Mrs. Ingrim’s teenager guilty of grand theft auto. I would sentence the child to serve probation. In addition, I would order for restitution. Car theft is a felony punishable by prison sentence and fine (Lab, 2013). However, Mrs. Ingrims’s teenager cannot be sentenced to a county jail. The reason is that he is a minor. The probation period will be between six months and one year. The reason for requesting restitution is to cover for financial losses, which include damage to the vehicle and to the storefront.

Conclusion

The juvenile criminal justice system is anchored on the fact that minors are not the same as adult offenders. There are various differences between the two groups of individuals. For example, their moral responsibilities and response to rehabilitation vary. The primary goal of the juvenile justice system is to successfully reintegrate the youth back into the society. Mrs. Ingrim’s 15-year old teenager has committed the offence of grand auto theft. His case is an example of the increasing incidences of minor offenders in the country. In the juvenile crime system, attorneys offer their services to help the defendants and their guardians understand the relevant laws.

References

Burns, R. (2007). The criminal justice system. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Prentice Hall.

Champion, D. (2010). The juvenile justice system: Delinquency, processing, and the law. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall.

Hendricks, F. (2010). A guide to the juvenile justice system. Raleigh, NC: Lulu.

Kratcoski, P. (2012). Juvenile justice administration. Boca Raton: Taylor & Francis.

Lab, S. (2013). Criminal justice: The essentials. New York: Oxford University Press.

Schmalleger, F. (2011). Criminal justice today: An introductory text for the 21^st century (12th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Prentice Hall.

Shoemaker, D. (2009). Juvenile delinquency. Lanham, MD: Rowman & Littlefield.