Judicated - Criminal Justice?

Question

I am a Juvenile legal term (not an adult), I was taken to court and sentenced to probation for my actions. A person under 18 cannot be (charged) or so I was told. I was told I was Judicated by my probation officer.

Can someone tell me if a minor can be charged with a crime?

If not charged than what is it called.

Can someone fill me in on how it works when a Juvenile commits a crime.

Answer 1

Yes, juveniles are charged, just the same as any person who violates the law. The main difference in juvenile law is the penalty system.

Each state is different, but here in Ohio, a juvenile will get probation, a slap on the wrist and a guidance counselor for committing a crime that as an adult, that same person would get years in prison.

The logic used by the court is the juvenile made a mistake by not being old enough to understand the repercussions of the infraction. Using the same logic, juvenile records are sealed on the 18th birthday so as to not impede the new adult in their life.

The drawback is that a paper trail is still being formed. Also, major crimes committed by juveniles are charged and sentenced as adults.

Best of luck and I hope this is useful to you