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Stages of the JJ Process

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While studies show that most teenagers engage in behavior that could potentially be charged in court, very few end up in our juvenile justice system. At each stage in the process, a decision must be made about what to do next with a child who may have done something wrong. Different decision makers must decide:

  • Should a child be formally arrested?

  • Should their case be sent to court?

  • Should they be formally charged in court?

  • Should they be detained (locked-up) before trial?

  • What should happen if they are determined to have committed an offense?