Juvenile Trial Proceedings: Which statement is true about juveniles?

Juvenile Trial Proceedings: Which statement is true about juveniles?

• A. Juveniles are guaranteed a jury trial.
• B. Juveniles do not get a trial by jury.
• C. Juveniles may have a jury trial if the court approves.
• D. Juveniles always have a jury trial.

Answer: (B)

In juvenile proceedings, the judge is the fact-finder and there isn’t an automatic right to a jury trial. The Supreme Court has held that jury trials are not required in juvenile court, and most jurisdictions do not provide for a jury trial in delinquency cases. This is why the statement juvenile trials do not get a trial by jury is the best answer. Note that a few jurisdictions could allow a jury trial in limited situations by statute, but that is not the standard rule, so the other options aren’t generally correct.

In juvenile proceedings, the judge is the fact-finder and there isn’t an automatic right to a jury trial. The Supreme Court has held that jury trials are not required in juvenile court, and most jurisdictions do not provide for a jury trial in delinquency cases. This is why the statement juvenile trials do not get a trial by jury is the best answer.

Note that a few jurisdictions could allow a jury trial in limited situations by statute, but that is not the standard rule, so the other options aren’t generally correct.