Chapter 15: Part 3 Young People and the Law ©2005 Clairmont Press Georgia and the American Experience

Young People and the Law ©2005 Clairmont Press

Section 4: Young People and the Law ESSENTIAL QUESTION –How are young people affected by the law?

Section 4: Young People and the Law Some of the words do I need to know. –truancy –Juvenile –Delinquent act –Status offense –Delinquent juvenile –Unruly juvenile – Deprived juvenile

Young People and the Law Over 2,500 children in jail in Georgia juvenile: citizen under the age of 17 truancy: failure to attend school juveniles must follow state’s laws, but violators may be tried by a juvenile court Common crimes: smoking, drinking alcohol, loitering (hanging around a public place without permission), violating curfews, running awayCommon crimes

Juvenile Court System Every county has a juvenile court purposes: –help and protect children –ensure protection of children coming under their jurisdiction –provide care for children removed from their home delinquent act: act that would be a crime if committed by an adult (example: burglary) status offense: act that would not be a crime if committed by an adult (example: smoking)

What is an example of a delinquent act ? Larceny, Kidnapping, and Distribution of Narcotics What the failure to attend school ? truancy

Juvenile Court System Unruly juvenile: commit status crimes like truancy, breaking curfew, or running away from home… Delinquent juvenile : Commit adult crimes like robbery, theft, or assault… Deprived juvenile: children that are abused by their parents.

Steps in Juvenile Justice Process 1.juvenile “taken into custody” (Arrested) 2.intake: intake officer evaluates case decides whether to detain or release 3.detain or release (to parents) 4.detained juveniles sent to RYDC (regional youth detention center) 5.probable cause hearing before a juvenile court judge 6.dismissal, informal adjustment, or formal hearing- (very similar to a trial-NO JURY) 7. if the juvenile committed a serious offense or multiple offenses, a judge has many sentencing options- (Rarely sent to prison)

What are status offenses? Acts that would not be a crime if committed by an adult (example: smoking) What is the term for someone who commits a status offense? An Unruly juvenile

Who in our state is considered a juvenile? Anyone under the age of 17 What happens when a juvenile is Taken into “custody”? The juvenile is assigned an intake officer

Georgia’s Seven Deadly Sins Act 1994: legislature addressed issue of increasingly violent youth crime juveniles charged with certain crimes (murder, rape, armed robbery) could be treated as adults by the courts superior courts handle these cases mandatory 10-year sentences were a part of the new law

What is the term for a juvenile who adult crime Commits an adult crime? Delinquent juvenile What is the term for a juvenile who abused Is abused by his/her parents? Deprived juvenile

Rights of Juveniles juveniles have the right to a fair and speedy trial Since juvenile court proceedings can result in loss of freedom: must know charges against them cannot be required to testify against themselves ---- (self-incrimination) right to an attorney --- if cannot afford --- courts provide In other words… juveniles especially have the Amendments 1, 4, and 5

What is the first step an intake Officer can take when a juvenile is taken into custody? Contact parents Which step in the juvenile process is like a trial in the adult system? A formal hearing Who decides the case against a juvenile? A judge

Students’ Rights Under School Law sometimes students’ rights have been in conflict with schools’ authority courts have ruled that students’ civil rights are in effect at school; however, schools have been given broad power to control and manage the school environment

What options can be used in sentencing by a juvenile court judge? send the juvenile to youth detention place the juvenile on probation assign community service When a juvenile commits a serious adult crime and is tried as an adult, where is the case tried? In Superior Court

Students Responsibilities Under School Law students have a legal right to a free public education responsibilities of students: –attend school regularly from ages 6-16 –follow reasonable rules and regulations –work with school officials to prevent disruption and violence which keeps students from learning and achieving Click to return to Table of Contents.

What rights are juveniles guaranteed?  a fair trial  the right to an attorney  protection against self-incrimination According to GA’s state constitution, all government originates from? The people/voters