Navigating the juvenile court process from intake to re-entry care can be confusing to youth. It differs greatly from the adult system, with a focus on doing what is in the youth’s best interest throughout the nine different steps of the process.
we will take a journey through the juvenile court process through the eyes of Destiny, our youth from Week 3. We will enter each door of the process to gain a better understanding of what a youth may experience and how they may feel as they move through the system.
Complete the following activity to learn about the nine steps of the juvenile court process and see how Destiny experiences it from her own perspective:
During the intake process, youth may be asked questions around their background, their first time experimenting with illicit substances, family life, and so on. Why are these questions important during intake?
During the detention process, a decision will be made on where a youth will be placed until they have an adjudication hearing. Do you believe it was in Destiny’s best interest to be temporarily placed in a detention facility? Why or why not?
What are some of the reasons that youth are waived to the adult system? Do you believe Destiny’s actions were severe enough to be waived to the adult system? Why or why not?
Why is aftercare important for a juvenile?
If you had to explain the adjudication process to Destiny, what do you believe would be the most difficult piece to explain to her and why?
Based on everything you have learned about the adjudication process, do you believe the decisions made for Destiny were the right decisions, and were they in her best interest? Why or why not?
