Understanding The Juvenile Criminal Justice System In Syracuse

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Juvenile and criminal justice systems exist to protect society; to take care of children who are deemed unable or incapable of carrying out their responsibilities. They are supposed to provide the child with a chance at rehabilitation, helping them grow into adults who can contribute to society. A team of DUI attorneys in Syracuse is working with the children of New York to make sure these systems operate in a way that protects and helps these children.

Syracuse has a relatively large number of children involved in the juvenile court system at both the state and federal levels. The majority of these cases deal with offenses that are low levels, such as disorderly conduct and minor drug crimes. However, because of the magnitude of these cases, it is crucial that they are handled effectively.

When the juvenile’s case is handled properly, the child has a much better chance at getting through these rough times in their life and moving on to contribute to society. This article will explore Syracuse’s juvenile criminal justice system, detailing how it works and what primary steps are involved in its process.

What Is The Juvenile Criminal Justice System?

The juvenile criminal justice system is the legal process that is in place to protect children who are below the age of responsibility. The age of responsibility varies from state to state, but in New York, the age is 18. This means that no matter what a child does, by the time they are 18 they will be held responsible for their actions in the eyes of the law. If they commit crimes before this time, then they are subject to legal process through this juvenile system.

How Do The Juvenile Criminal Justice System In Syracuse Work?

The system usually begins when a youth commits a crime. In most cases, the police arrest the youth and charge them with a crime. There can be several charges depending on the severity of the crime committed. The most serious crimes are charged as felonies and can include robbery, breaking, assault, or manslaughter. The next level of crimes is charged as misdemeanors and includes marijuana, theft,  or vandalism. Either way, once the youth is in custody, they are sent to the detention facility for processing.

There they will have several hearings before either being released back into their home community with an order to follow certain rules known as bail conditions or sent to juvenile detention until their trial date. If they are sent to juvenile detention, a judge will examine their case, who will decide if they should be sentenced to a detention facility or commit them to a secure treatment program.

At the time of sentencing, the judge will give the youth an “indeterminate” sentence. The length of this sentence is based on how serious the crime was and what type of treatment they need. It can range from six months or as long as five years. The youth is then placed in a transitional program or one of the secure programs located in our area.

The juvenile justice process in Syracuse operates in much the same way as it does anywhere else. However, it also involves the following major decision points.

i) Referral to court

If it appears that the child has committed a felony offense, the court will be notified, and they will come in for a hearing. At this time, the child’s parents can hire a lawyer. If the parents cannot afford one, they can ask for a court-appointed attorney.   A lawyer will be given time to meet with him and discuss his case. The parents may be present as well.

ii) Diversion

If the case is a misdemeanor, there is a chance that the child can be diverted. This means they can plead guilty and spend no time in jail or prison. However, they will have to prove that they are attending school and occasionally get counseling to help them build up their skills. This type of thing will normally be handled by an agreement between a prosecutor and the child’s parent, which must go through a judge before signing.

iii) Secure detention

If the child has committed a misdemeanor that would warrant jail time, but they are not old enough to be charged as an adult, their case will go to court. Either way, the judge will decide what is best for the child. For example, the judge may allow them to serve their time in a different environment, such as a juvenile detention center.

Probation and Other Conditions

The child may be given probation instead of going to jail. A judge can order them to pay fines, or they may have to get counseling to treat drug or alcohol addiction. They can also be required to work on community service and attend school.

The juvenile criminal justice system in Syracuse works much like any other criminal justice system. However, the main goal is to rehabilitate the youth. This is accomplished by educating them, offering them guidance, and providing them with many opportunities to ensure a successful, lasting future.

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