Legal Definitions - juvenile

In criminal law, a juvenile is a young person who is not yet old enough to be held fully responsible for a crime they are accused of committing. Instead of being tried in a traditional court, they may be seen in a special court called a juvenile court. If a young person is found guilty of a crime, they are called a juvenile delinquent.

At the federal level, a juvenile is someone who is under 18 years old. However, if they commit a serious crime or repeat offenses, they may be tried as an adult under criminal law. For example, if a 17-year-old commits murder, they may be tried as an adult.

The law provides special protections for juveniles. For example, a juvenile cannot be detained for longer than a reasonable period of time before seeing a magistrate judge. The arresting officer must also inform the juvenile of their legal rights and notify their parents and the attorney general.

In civil law, the terms "juvenile" and "minor" are often used to refer to a person who is not yet legally responsible for their actions.

• A 15-year-old is caught stealing from a store. They are taken to juvenile court instead of a traditional court.
• A 16-year-old is found guilty of vandalism. They are considered a juvenile delinquent.
• A 17-year-old is charged with armed robbery. Because it is a serious crime, they may be tried as an adult.

These examples illustrate how a young person who is not yet legally responsible for their actions may be treated differently under the law. Juveniles are given special protections and may be tried in a different court system than adults.