Northern Virginia Criminal Justice Academy (NVCJA) Practice Exam

Which of the following statements applies to juvenile delinquency proceedings?

1. They are open to the public

2. They typically involve cash settlements

3. They are conducted without a jury

4. They require a minimum age of 18 for prosecution

The correct answer is: They are conducted without a jury

Juvenile delinquency proceedings are fundamentally structured to prioritize the rehabilitation of young offenders rather than punishment. One pivotal aspect of these proceedings is that they are conducted without a jury. This absence of a jury reflects the unique nature of the juvenile justice system, which seeks to handle cases more informally than the adult criminal system and emphasizes confidentiality and protection for minors. The use of a judge rather than a jury allows for a more tailored approach to justice that considers the circumstances and developmental status of the juvenile involved. The idea is to focus on rehabilitation and guidance rather than solely on punishment, fitting the overall goal of the juvenile justice system to minimize the negative impact of judicial intervention on a young person's future. In contrast, the other options do not accurately reflect the characteristics of juvenile delinquency proceedings. For instance, these proceedings are typically closed to the public to protect the privacy of the minors involved, they do not generally involve cash settlements as they focus on rehabilitation, and they do not have a minimum age of 18 for prosecution, as minors younger than 18 can be tried in juvenile court.