A child 17 years old and under who is alleged to have committed a crime will be summoned to Connecticut Juvenile Court and charged as a delinquent. Delinquency proceedings have benefits over being charged as an adult such as confidentiality of the proceedings and the ability to have certain records erased. Plus, the overall philosophy in Juvenile Court is more about rehabilitation than meting out punishment.
However, if a child is 14 years or older and is charged with a serious offense like murder or sexual assault, the case will automatically be transferred to adult court. And sometimes a judge will transfer a juvenile case to adult criminal court after a special hearing.
Assuming the case stays in Juvenile Court here are the possible outcomes:
Dismissal or nolle. The Prosecutor can dismiss a case or decide not to pursue a case (nolle). This is often in exchange for the child performing community service hours and/or restitution to a victim.
Non-judicial supervision. The child signs a statement that they are responsible for the delinquent act(s). The matter is assigned to a Probation Officer who supervises the child for up to six months. There is no conviction and the requirements are less stringent than probation.
Diversionary programs. Depending on the offense, the child may be eligible to participate in anger management or substance abuse treatment. Successful completion results in a dismissal of the charges.
Conviction. A judge makes a finding of delinquency either by a child’s plea or after a trial. Upon adjudicating a child as a delinquent, the judge may order a period of probation, usually 6 months to 2 years. The judge also has the authority to order the child committed to DCF, removed from their home and placed in a residential facility or at the Connecticut Juvenile Training School.