Are there Plea Agreements in Juvenile Court?
Yes. Before the Adjudication Hearing, the prosecutor may discuss the possibility of a negotiated plea agreement with the juvenile’s defense attorney. If an agreement is reached, the juvenile enters a plea of guilty as agreed, and signs a form declaring that he/she is knowingly giving up various rights, including his/her right to an Adjudication Hearing and the right to cross-examine witnesses. The judge will decide whether or not to accept the plea agreement. Upon the acceptance of the plea agreement, the judge will enter a finding of delinquency against the juvenile. What is the Adjudication Hearing? If a plea agreement is not reached, the case will be set to an Adjudication Hearing for trial. All parties to the case, including the prosecution witnesses and defense witnesses, will testify before a judge. The prosecution and the defense make opening statements to the judge to explain the case. The prosecutor then presents the case against the juvenile. The State is required to prove “b
