Juvenile vs. Adult Justice System: From Intake to Disposition

Assignment: Juvenile vs. Adult Justice System Paper
Name
Institution
Course Name
Instructor
Date
Comparing the procedures that law enforcement officers and courts should follow  when interacting with juveniles versus adults during the stages of intake, prosecution, adjudication, and disposition
Intake
 The intake of juveniles involves arresting, dismissing a case diversion, filing a petition, dismissal, secure detention, probation, or residential placement implies there is no further action against the juvenile. Still, the information is collected on the alleged offense and the suspect’s details. Juvenile intake is the first point of contact between the juveniles and their families with the law enforcement agencies. The youth intake staff members evaluate the juveniles, and if there is a risk of reoffending, they are referred to the juvenile criminal system. Diversion programs and the juvenile court are the most common actions after assessing each juvenile case. There is an emphasis on the child’s interests, needs, and the community needs to allow the juveniles to integrate well into society. In the diversion, the last step of the criminal justice system, there is no formal legal action, but the court addresses the matter. The juvenile crime system is more lenient than the adult criminal justice system, and there is more emphasis on diversion.
 Among adults, the formal referral by law enforcement also requires assessment on whether a case should proceed or be dismissed. Probation officers, the court, and the prosecutor’s office often get involved during intake. Officers of the court can file a petition with the court based on allegations about the acts. Unlike the juvenile court system that considers diversion opportunities and other services, intake among adults is often the starting point for further contact with the criminal justice system. Jurisdiction influences both juvenile and adult intake, and individuals contact the law enforcement officers who handle their cases. Still, intake is a formal process in the adult justice system.
 
Prosecution
 Juveniles are mostly prosecuted for delinquent acts, which does not involve going to prison. However, in the case of more serious acts such as murder, the juveniles can be treated as adults. There is an emphasis on rehabilitating the juveniles and not punishing them. For the juveniles, there is a disposition where there is the final determination of charges and determining the further cause of action, unlike adults who are punished. The outcome of the hearing in the juvenile system targets preventing the juveniles from further reoffending and ensuring they are on the right track. Ideally, for the court, the juvenile should find a positive path after the court’s sentencing.
 Adults are prosecuted for crimes, and there is less emphasis on rehabilitation compared to juveniles. Adults get prosecuted for committing crimes, and the criminal justice system is formal. Since there is more emphasis on punishing the adults, it is less likely that treatment is considered, unlike the case of juvenile prosecution. The presumption of criminal responsibility is more common in prosecuting ad...