All human beings are regarded as equal before the law. This is regardless of age, gender, race or religion. However, the rights and protections given to juveniles are not similar to those given to adults. The law provides protection to children differently from adults because children are presumed to be rational beings, but they are prone to being victims of human rights infringement. These rights are provided for in the constitution.
Youths have protection against self-incrimination. This is provided for as a constitutional right and statutory right. The juveniles also have the right to waiver this right in a court of law regardless of their age. Under this right, the juveniles have admission, at intake, to a juvenile court counselor.
Another right is that of appointment of a guardian. Juveniles have the right to have a sense of belonging by having parents or guardians who can guide them and provide for their basic need. This right provides for adoption for those children who have no parents. This is aimed at helping juveniles in their day to day activities and moral guidance to make them future law abiding people.
Rights like those to open hearing, proof beyond doubt are related to contact and processing by law officers. Juveniles who get involved in crime have the right to besubjected to open hearings of their cases. There must be strong proof that the juvenile is guilty to be pronounced as guilty. Usually, a juvenile is also innocent until they are found guilty. The law officers should gather their evidence carefully when prossecuting juveniles so that in the open hearing, they produce credible proof that the juveniles broke the law.
Juveniles have another major right, right to records confidentiality. In this case, the officers of law who take charge of juvenile cases have the duties to ensure this. The officers should maintain court records for the juveniles, those of the juvenile’s lawyer, files and records of law enforcement. This will ensure that the handling of the court cases runs smoothly, bearing in mind the juvenile rights. The juveniles, if not content with the court ruling, have the right to appeal against the ruling.
These rights and protections are meant to ensure that juveniles are protected by law, and those who break the law face fair trials.
Reference
Heilbrun, K., Sevin Goldstein, N. E., & Redding, R. E. (2005). Juvenile delinquency: prevention, assessment, and intervention (illustrated ed.). London: Juvenile delinquency: prevention, assessment, and intervention.
