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Simple English definitions for legal terms
youthful offenders
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A quick definition of youthful offenders:
Youthful Offenders: Young people who are accused of breaking the law and are processed through a special court system for juveniles. This means that they are not treated the same as adults who commit crimes. In most states, youthful offenders are under 18 years old. However, some young people who commit serious crimes like murder or armed robbery may be tried as adults. Being a youthful offender has some advantages, such as being kept in a juvenile prison instead of an adult prison and not being eligible for the death penalty. However, it is still important to follow the law and make good choices to avoid getting in trouble with the law.
A more thorough explanation:
Youthful offenders are individuals who are under the age of 18 and have been accused of committing a crime. They are processed through a juvenile court and may be sent to a juvenile detention or prison facility. However, in some cases, a court may choose to try a young defendant as an adult, particularly if they are a repeat offender or have committed a serious crime such as murder, manslaughter, armed robbery, rape, or aggravated assault.
Despite this, youthful offenders have certain advantages. For example, they will be kept in a juvenile prison instead of a penitentiary, are more likely to receive probation, and cannot receive the death penalty. Additionally, they can only receive a maximum prison sentence until their 25th birthday or some other limitation.
For instance, a 17-year-old who is caught stealing from a store may be processed through a juvenile court and sent to a juvenile detention center. However, a 16-year-old who is accused of murder may be tried as an adult and sent to an adult prison.
Overall, youthful offenders are young individuals who have been accused of committing a crime and are processed through a juvenile court. While they may face serious consequences, they also have certain advantages and limitations compared to adult offenders.