What happens when a juvenile is charged as an adult?

When a juvenile is charged as an adult, they are prosecuted as an adult due to the severity of the offense. This process is often referred to as "waiver" or "transfer," which allows certain serious offenses committed by juveniles to be handled in adult court. The rationale behind this approach is that the nature of the crime is significant enough that it warrants the harsher consequences associated with adult prosecution.

When juveniles are prosecuted as adults, they face the adult legal system, which includes different procedures, sentencing guidelines, and potential penalties that are generally more severe than those applied within the juvenile justice system. This includes the possibility of longer sentences and incarceration in an adult facility rather than a juvenile rehabilitation center.

The other options do not align with the legal framework for prosecuting juveniles charged as adults. For example, they do not face minor offenses or juvenile rehabilitation services, nor are they exempt from being tried for any crimes.