Juvenile Justice Process and Corrections

Juvenile Justice Process and Corrections

Michelle Chaney

CJA 374

April 2, 2012

Erica Williams

Juvenile Justice Process and Corrections

The juvenile justice system has a series of steps and processes through which a juvenile is moved through following an arrest. This process is similar to those in the criminal justice system; however, because of the differences between the two systems, the juvenile justice system is designed with the juvenile rights in mind. Each state has laws pertaining to how a juvenile is processed following an arrest. “Nevada is a decentralized state, meaning that delinquency services are organized at both the state and local level” (National Center for Juvenile Justice, 2010, para. 1). The state of Nevada has several steps through which a juvenile progresses that include intake, initial appearance in court, adjudication, and sentencing.

Juvenile Process

When a juvenile is arrested in the state of Nevada, they are immediately taken to the local police department or sheriff’s department where the intake process begins. It is during the intake process that an officer reviews the known evidence connected with the crime the juvenile is accused of committing. Based on that evidence, the intake officer will make his or her decision to either release the juvenile into the custody of his or her parents or guardian or charge the juvenile with a crime. The intake officer or the probation officer can recommend the juvenile be placed in a diversion program or on informal supervision (National Center for Juvenile Justice, 2010). A juvenile who admits to delinquency may be placed under informal supervision; however, this must be approved by the district attorney in writing (National Center for Juvenile Justice, 2010).

Unlike some states, Nevada law permits juvenile detainment prior to disposition. According to the National Center for Juvenile Justice (2010),

NRS 62C.030 outlines criteria for detaining a juvenile before...