Juvenile Justice System
Juvenile offenses are not called "crimes," they are called ____
Delinquent acts
Delinquent act that wouldn’t typically be a crime if an adult had done it
Status Offense
True or False: recreational marijuana is legal in PA
False
True or False: You can drop out of school at 17
False - you must attend school through the age of 18 or until you graduate high school, whichever comes sooner
Juvenile equivalent of an adult sentence
Disposition
Name 2 of the most common juvenile offenses in PA
Shoplifting, vandalism, simple assault, possession of drugs or alcohol, underage drinking, disorderly conduct, trespassing, and curfew violations
How old do you have to be to purchase and consume tobacco products, including vapes, in PA
21 years old
List 2 prohibited items in schools
Tobacco products (including cigarettes and vapes), other drugs, guns, knives (including swiss army knife/pocket knife), and other weapons
True or False: Juveniles cannot be tried as adults
False - In PA, a minor 15 years or older can be charged as an adult for rape, involuntary deviant sexual intercourse, aggravated assault, robbery, aggravated indecent assault, or kidnapping if the minor uses a deadly weapon.
Name 3 common punishments given to juveniles
Probation, community service, fines, loss of driving privileges, attending counseling, undergoing alcohol or drug treatment, paying restitution to victims, curfew
True or False: If someone 21 or older buys me a vape, I can use it
False - In 2019, PA changed the law to 21 years or older for sale and consumption
Potential consequences for getting into a fight/physical altercation at school
Disciplinary consequences: in-school or out-of-school suspension, expulsion
Legal repercussions: criminal charges like assault or battery; juvenile court proceedings
Juvenile equivalent of an adult trial
Adjudicatory hearing
Give 2 examples of a status offense
1. Being out past curfew
2. Possession or consumption of alcohol
3. Truancy from school
4. Possession of tobacco
True of False: You can take Xanax or Adderall without a prescription
False - it is illegal to consume prescription drugs without an authorized prescription; this is called Illegal Possession of Prescription Drug(s)
How many unexcused absences are considered habitually truant
6 or more unexcused absences in one school year
When can you petition for your record to be sealed/expunged
6 months after the final discharge from court supervision & there have been no new charges
Types of sexting and the potential consequences
1. Summary offense - A minor who sends a sexually explicit image of themselves or views a sexually explicit image of another minor
2. Misdemeanor - A minor who shares a sext of another minor
1. Up to 90 days in jail & fines up to $300
2. Up to 1 year in jail & fines up to $2,500
Potential consequences for underage drinking in PA
-Maximum sentence of 90 days in jail
-Up to $500 fine for first offense; up to $1,000 for subsequent offenses
-License suspension (typically 90 days to 6 months for first offense)
Potential consequences of truancy
-Child & Youth Services involvement
-License suspension
-Fines up to $750
-Parent or guardian - may be put in jail for up to 3 days, may be required to complete community service