Adult court is the legal system that handles cases involving adults who are 18 years of age or older. Adult courts are responsible for prosecuting and punishing criminal offenses, including misdemeanors and felonies. Adult courts also handle civil cases, such as lawsuits and divorces.
Juvenile court is the legal system that handles cases involving juveniles, who are individuals under the age of 18. Juvenile courts are responsible for adjudicating cases involving juvenile delinquency, which is the violation of a law by a juvenile. Juvenile courts also handle cases involving child welfare and protection, such as abuse, neglect, and custody disputes.
The main difference between adult court and juvenile court is the way that they treat the individuals involved. Adult courts treat adults as responsible for their own actions, while juvenile courts treat juveniles as individuals who are still developing and who need guidance and support.
Another difference between adult court and juvenile court is the types of punishments that they can impose. Adult courts can impose a variety of punishments, including imprisonment, fines, probation, and community service. Juvenile courts can impose a variety of sanctions, including detention in a juvenile detention facility, probation, community service, and counseling.
Finally, adult court and juvenile court are different in the way that they conduct their proceedings. Adult court proceedings are typically open to the public, while juvenile court proceedings are typically closed to the public. This is to protect the privacy of juveniles and to prevent them from being stigmatized.
Overall, adult court and juvenile court are two separate legal systems that serve different purposes. Adult court is responsible for prosecuting and punishing adults who commit criminal offenses, while juvenile court is responsible for adjudicating cases involving juveniles and providing them with guidance and support.