Final answer:
Juvenile courts differ from adult courts in the use of juries, terminology, adversarial nature, and confidentiality levels. Juvenile proceedings do not typically involve juries, use different terms, focus on rehabilitation over punishment, and prioritize the privacy of the juveniles.
Step-by-step explanation:
Major Differences Between Juvenile Courts and Adult Courts
The juvenile justice system and adult court system serve different purposes and thus operate under different parameters. Here are four major differences:
- Juvenile courts typically do not use juries, unlike adult courts where the presence of a judge and jury is common.
- The terminology used in juvenile courts is different; for example, 'delinquent' instead of 'criminal', or 'adjudication' instead of 'trial'.
- Juvenile courts are less adversarial, focusing more on the rehabilitation of the youth rather than punishment, whereas adult courts are structured around the adversarial judicial system.
- Confidentiality is paramount in juvenile proceedings to protect the identity and future of the young person, contrasting with adult court proceedings which are generally public.