How do the rights in juvenile court differ from those in adult court?

In juvenile court, the legal proceedings are designed to be more rehabilitative than punitive, which reflects the understanding that juveniles may not fully grasp the consequences of their actions and are still developing. One key distinction is that juveniles do not have the right to a public trial by jury, which is a fundamental right typically afforded to adults in criminal cases. Instead, proceedings in juvenile court are generally conducted without a jury, and they are often held in private to protect the privacy of the juvenile and encourage open discussions about their behavior and rehabilitation options.

This lack of a right to a public trial and jury trial emphasizes the focus in juvenile court on rehabilitation rather than punishment, allowing for a more individualized approach to each case. The court aims to provide a supportive environment that facilitates the possibility of reform and reintegration into society, without the stigma that might accompany a public trial. This approach is rooted in the understanding that young individuals are still forming their identities and are more likely to respond positively to rehabilitation efforts when the process is less adversarial and public.