From Eileen M. Ahlin, Assistant Professor of Criminal Justice at Pennsylvania State University, writing for The Moderate Voice:
Everyone makes mistakes they would rather leave in the past. Whether it’s a missed opportunity, a failed relationship or an unwise investment, many people move on and leave life’s regrets behind.
This is not always true if the mistake is a crime, and you are caught.
When a juvenile, a person under 18 years of age, is arrested and charged with a crime, prosecutors can decide to transfer the youth to an adult court or keep their case in juvenile court. This decision is based on several factors, including the seriousness of the offense, the offender’s age and prior criminal history. Some research indicates that race plays a role in this decision.