News Three talked to a criminal trial lawyer who explained the difference between adult and juvenile courts.
Frank Martin, an attorney from the Martin Law Offices in Columbus, said depending on the seriousness of the offense determines which court you could end up in.
Martin says criminal cases involving youths under the age of 17 will normally be sent to juvenile court. 17 and older will be sent to Superior Court. However, age is not the only variable that determines where a case gets sent, court determination also depends on the seriousness of the crime committed.
“The Legislature changed the law and said in these specified cases like murder, rape, armed robbery and so forth that their jurisdiction over the juvenile would automatically be in the Superior Court, not Juvenile court.” Said Martin.
Attorney Frank Martin also said a murder charge in Superior Court could lead to life in prison, life with no parole or the death sentence. However, juvenile court can’t impose those sentences, the juvenile court maximum penalty is incarceration until a certain age.
Martin also adds police initially decide the charge, but the Recorders Court judge has the authority to drop the charges or reduce the charges, but they can’t add charges. Depending on the age of the defendant as well as what the judge decides to do with the charges, a case could be sent back to Juvenile Court.
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