Rights and Responsibilities
Juveniles have the same rights as adults in criminal manners, except for the
Right to a jury trial and bail. You are responsible for attending all your hearings and for doing everything the court orders you to do. If possible, your parents should attend hearings with you.
ArraignmentTo be "arraigned" means you have been charged with a crime, are informed of your charges, and now must plead guilty or not guilty to those charges. If
you don’t show up for your arraignment, a warrant may be issued for your arrest. Be on time and expect to wait. If you have a court appointed lawyer, he or she will find you in the waiting room by calling your name.You and your lawyer will decide if you are going to plead "guilty" or "not guilty" to the charges against you. If you plead not guilty, your lawyer will schedule a case-setting hearing that will take place about two weeks from the date of your arraignment. If you plead guilty, your lawyer will schedule a sentencing hearing.
Case-Setting Hearing
The case-setting hearing usually takes place between you, your lawyer, and the prosecutor to discuss your case and perhaps plea bargaining. I you plead not guilty, a date will be set for your trial. If you plead not guilty, you may see a judge for sentencing that same day or at a separate hearing.
Trial (Fact-finding hearing)
During a trial, a prosecutor presents facts about your case to the judge. There is no jury in juvenile court. Your lawyer may present facts as well. Witnesses may be called to talk to the judge. By law, you are innocent until you are proven guilty, so the prosecutor must prove the charges against beyond a reasonable doubt. The judge decides whether you are guilty or not guilty. If you are found guilty, the judge will decide your sentence. This may be done at a separate hearing.
Your punishment depends on your crime and whether you have broken the law before, your behavior in school, your age, and other things.
Types of sentences include:
 | Community Supervision – you will be supervised for a certain length of tome by your probation officer. This is also called "probation". |
| Community Service – you will do unpaid work for the community. |
| Restitution – you will pay the victim for damaged or stolen property. |
| Fine – you will pay the county a certain amount of money. |
| Detention – you will be held for a certain amount of time in the county’s juvenile detention facility. Sentences are usually no longer than 30 days. |
| Commitment - you will be held for a certain amount of time in one of the state’s juvenile rehabilitation facilities. The length of your sentence depends on your crime. |
Your sentence can last until you are 21 years old, except for restitution, which can last until you are 28. If you don’t complete your sentence, you punishment will get worse.