Rights of Juvenile Delinquents
Juvenile court proceedings have today become formal in most states and have strengthened the constitutional rights of Juveniles. Before a juvenile is arrested, there has to be a plausible cause. This means that police officers must have a legitimate reason to arrest or search the minor who has violated criminal statute. Conversely, reasonable suspicion is needed to arrest school personnel for wrong doing. In relation to this, there exist various rights or privileges that vary during criminal proceedings of juveniles. Some of these rights include: right to counsel, phone call, notice of charges, charges proved beyond reasonable doubt and privilege against self incrimination among others (Michon, “nolo.com”).
The right to a phone call allows a minor to make a call if already in custody and the date of release has not been determined or far. Such calls can either be made to the parent or directly to the attorney by the offender. Ignorance of such requests by the police can result in inadmissibility by whatever is said by the criminal offender. In regards to attorney, it gives juvenile delinquent privileges to be stood for by an attorney who is appointed by the government if he or she cannot afford one. In relation to proof beyond reasonable doubt, the state must prove charges leveled against juveniles by providing very strong and adequate evidence during criminal proceedings (Michon, “nolo.com”). Moreover, the constitution gives juvenile offenders the privilege to testify willingly. On the other hand, juvenile delinquents do not have rights to bail. This means that juvenile offenders cannot be granted bail because they do not have this constitutional right. Therefore, juvenile delinquents enjoy certain rights as discussed above despite not being able to be granted bail.
Work Cited
Michon, Kathleen. “Nolo.com.” Web. 11 March 2015.