Here are some key features of juvenile courts:
* Focus on rehabilitation: The primary goal of juvenile courts is to rehabilitate the young offender, rather than simply punish them.
* Confidentiality: Proceedings in juvenile court are generally confidential to protect the identity and privacy of the minor.
* Different procedures: Juvenile court procedures differ from adult criminal court, with a greater emphasis on social services and family involvement.
* Separate legal system: Juvenile courts operate under a separate legal system from the adult criminal justice system.
While a juvenile may be tried in a juvenile court, there are circumstances where a juvenile could be tried as an adult. These cases are often referred to as "transfer" or "waiver" cases and typically involve serious offenses or a history of criminal behavior.