Juvenile Crime Philosophy

Arizona is typically more lenient with juveniles than with adults when it comes to punishing them for crimes. In the event that a minor is convicted of a crime, the state usually chooses to focus on rehabilitating the minor, as opposed to punishing him or her with time in jail. The theory is that when a minor is rehabilitated or counseled, there is a better chance that he or she will not commit a crime again. This means that a minor may be required to attend counseling and/or perform community service. However, minors with multiple criminal offenses on their record, or minors who are convicted of serious felony crimes, such as rape, murder, assault with a weapon, etc., can be charged as adults, sentenced to much heavier penalties, such as time in jail, a juvenile detention facility, fines, and more.