Name: ______
Period: ______
Young People and the Law (pg. 547)
Juveniles______are citizens under the age of seventeen. They must follow the same local, state, and federal laws. They do have special laws that apply to them such as:
1.Must attend school until at least age 16
2. Cannot run away from home.
3. Cannot possess alcoholic beverages or tobacco until 21 and 18
4. Curfew from 12 am to 5am
5.required to obey all reasonable and lawful instructions of parents/guardians
The Juvenile Court System (pg. 547)
The Juvenile court system was established in 1906. The first court system was established in Fultoncounty.
The three main purposes of the juvenile court systems are:
1. Help and protect the well-being of children.
2. makes sure the court provides care, guidance, and control for juveniles
3. Provide care for children removed from their homes.
Two terms are important to understand juvenile laws and court.
- Delinquent Act ______- an act that would be considered a crime if committed by an adult.
- Status Offense______- or Unruly Act is an act that would not be considered a crime if committed by an adult.
When a juvenile is captured by the police, they are said to be “taken into custody.”
Steps in the Juvenile Justice Process (pg. 548)
1. Intake ______- Office decides on charges made against the juvenile. If there is enough evidence the juvenile my be released to the custody of their 1) parents or
2) detain the juvenile. . Juveniles who are detained are housed at the RYDC,
Regional Youth Detention Center.
2. Detention______- This is when a probable cause hearing before a juvenile judge will be held within 72 hours of detention.
The judge has three options:
1. Dismiss the case
2. Have an informal adjustment
3.Have a formal hearing
3. Formal Hearing______- The complaining witness files a petition outlining the wrongdoing. Once the petition is signed, a date is set for the formal hearing and a summons is issued.
There are two parts of a formal hearing:
1. Adjudicatory Hearing ______- The juvenile judge hears the case against the juvenile and decides if the juvenile is guilty.
2. Dispositional Hearing______- The judge determines the punishment for the offense.
4. Sentencing ______- Once a juvenile has been judged guilty the judge has several ways to treat the child:
A) Release juvenile to the custody of parent/guardian with no court supervision
B)Place the juvenile on probation
C) Place juvenile in YDC for up to 90 days.
D) Commit juvenile to Dept. of Juvenile Justice
E) Boot camp
F) Other punishments – restitution/fines or probation
5. Appeal _____ or the court extends custody for up to five years.
The Rights of Juveniles (pg. 549 – 550)
Juveniles handled under the juvenile justice system have the same basic legal rights that other citizens have.
1. They have the right to a speedy trial.
2. They must be notified of the charges against them.
3. They are protected against self-incrimination.
4. They have the right to an attorney.
5. They have the right to question and confront witnesses against them.
6. They have the right to present a defense, introduce evidence, and testify on their behalf.
7. They have the right to have a parent or guardian present at all hearings.
8. If they cannot afford an attorney one will be provided.
Student’s Rights and Responsibilities Under School Law (pg. 550-551)
The courts have protected the First Amendment____(freedom of religion, speech, the press, and the right to assemble), the Fourth Amendment____ (rights against unreasonable search and seizure), and the Fifth Amendment______(equal protection under the law and the right of due process of law).
According to Georgia law, students have a legal right to a free public education.
Students must attend school between the ages of 6-16.
Students must follow reasonable rules and regulations such as:
A) Behavior codes
B) Dress codes
C) Prevent disruptions and violence in their schools.