The third way of proceeding against individuals for juvenile delinquency is by transfer and criminally prosecuting them as adults. Juveniles charged with serious offenses, who have prior criminal history, and who have proven unreceptive to treatment in the juvenile justice system, may be the type considered for transfer to adult status. A decision to transfer should be based upon discussion with the investigating agents, a prosecution policy which targets the most serious juvenile offenders, and a comparison of effective alternatives which may be available in state jurisdiction.
Updated January 22, 2020