Northern Virginia Criminal Justice Academy (NVCJA) Practice Exam

In a case where a 14-year-old is charged with malicious wounding, what court proceedings are involved?

1. Grand Jury Review

2. Trial in JDRC

3. Preliminary Hearing with a Trial in JDRC

4. Appeal in Circuit Court

The correct answer is: Preliminary Hearing with a Trial in JDRC

The appropriate legal process for a 14-year-old charged with malicious wounding involves a preliminary hearing followed by a trial in the Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court (JDRC). In cases involving juveniles, the legal system places a strong emphasis on rehabilitation rather than punishment, aligning with the understanding that young individuals are still developing and may benefit more from guidance than punitive measures. The preliminary hearing serves as a crucial step where the evidence is examined to determine if there is sufficient cause to proceed to trial. This hearing takes place without a jury, and its primary purpose is to ensure that the case has merit before moving forward. If the case proceeds to trial, the JDRC is the appropriate venue for adjudicating juvenile matters. This court focuses specifically on issues relating to juveniles, enabling a more suited environment for addressing the needs of young offenders through rehabilitative measures, rather than traditional criminal penalties. The structure of these proceedings is designed to be less adversarial and more focused on the welfare of the child. This dual-step process—first a preliminary hearing and then a trial—is characteristic of juvenile justice cases, differentiating it from adult criminal proceedings, where cases might go directly to trial after indictment.