What court has jurisdiction over juvenile delinquency cases?
The Family Court has jurisdiction over juvenile delinquency cases. A delinquency case is started when an offense is committed by a juvenile, which if committed by an adult would constitute a crime. If a criminal case is pending, and if it is determined that the defendant is a juvenile, then the case should be transferred to the Family Court. In most cases, it is always preferable for the teenager if the case remains in the juvenile court. Nonetheless, juveniles who are involved in violent criminal crimes are increasingly being waived to the adult court. The waiver of such juveniles will not be overturned absent a showing of an abuse of discretion. The burden of proof shifts to the juvenile in a challenge to waiving him to adult court after the state establishes the existence of prerequisite for such a waiver. The juvenile must show the probability of rehabilitation before reaching age 19 using juvenile court services and facilities. 3. What is the purpose of the juvenile court system?
