Juvenile Law

 
Juvenile Law is the area of the law that deals with the actions and well being of persons who are not yet adults. A juvenile is not old enough to be held responsible for criminal acts as an adult is.  In most states and on the federal level, a person is considered a juvenile or a minor until he or she reaches the age of 18.  Juvenile court proceedings are conducted in private. Generally, the juvenile court procedures for dealing with abused, neglected, and needy children are less formal than the procedures for dealing with alleged delinquents. Also, whereas adult criminal courts focus on the offense committed and appropriate punishment, juvenile courts focus on the child and seek to meet the child's needs through rehabilitation, supervision, and treatment.