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Differences Between The Adult Courts And The Juvenile Court System

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There are many differences between the juvenile court system and the adult court system. While the primary focus in juvenile court is treatment, rehabilitation, and community protection, the primary goal of the adult system is punishment, and not rehabilitation (PBS, 2014). Limitations are also placed on public access to juvenile records because of the belief that juvenile offenders can be successfully rehabilitated and to avoid their unnecessary stigmatization. While juvenile hearings are closed to the public, juvenile court proceedings may be closed to the public. In contrast, open public records are required for adults and adult courts are open to the public (PBS, 2014). There are no jury trials in juvenile court and the cases are heard

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