Juveniles, or people under the age of eighteen, are usually tried in a juvenile court for misdemeanor offenses. Misdemeanor offenses are not serious crimes like murder, rape, or assault, but they are still serious enough to warrant punishment. Crimes are usually classified as felonies and misdemeanors. Generally speaking, felonies are the more serious crimes and are usually punishable by imprisonment in a penitentiary (pen-uh-'tench-uh-ree). Misdemeanors are offenses of a less serious nature and are punishable by a fine or imprisonment in a county or local jail. Committing a forgery is a felony, but driving an automobile in excess of the speed limit is a misdemeanor. The criminal statutes define the acts that are felonies and misdemeanors. Occasionally, the same offense may be either a misdemeanor or a felony, depending on its degree. For example, the first offense of a crime may be a misdemeanor. After a certain number of convictions for that same crime, the state may prosecute the next violation as a felony. Punishment for juvenile misdemeanor offenses can range from probation to reform school, depending on the seriousness of the crime and if there was any prior criminal behavior. If the juvenile has a long record of serious crimes, he or she may be tried in a regular court as an adult. For more information on juvenile law, consult an attorney.
