Skip to main content

This is archived content from the U.S. Department of Justice website. The information here may be outdated and links may no longer function. Please contact webmaster@usdoj.gov if you have any questions about the archive site.

Criminal Resource Manual

126. Treating Juveniles As Adults For Criminal Prosecution -- Generally

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.