Who is responsible for charging a juvenile as an adult in these cases?

Who is responsible for charging a juvenile as an adult in these cases?

• A. City attorney
• B. County attorney
• C. State attorney general
• D. Public defender

Answer: (B)

Charging a juvenile as an adult is a prosecutorial decision made by the office that handles criminal prosecutions in the jurisdiction where the offense occurred—typically the county attorney. The county attorney prosecutes cases in the county’s superior court and is responsible for filing petitions to transfer a juvenile to adult court. City attorneys handle municipal offenses within their city; the state attorney general oversees statewide legal matters and does not usually file standard juvenile waiver petitions. The public defender is the defense attorney and does not determine charges. Understanding this helps you know that when a waiver to adult court is considered, the authority to initiate that process sits with the county attorney’s office.

Charging a juvenile as an adult is a prosecutorial decision made by the office that handles criminal prosecutions in the jurisdiction where the offense occurred—typically the county attorney. The county attorney prosecutes cases in the county’s superior court and is responsible for filing petitions to transfer a juvenile to adult court. City attorneys handle municipal offenses within their city; the state attorney general oversees statewide legal matters and does not usually file standard juvenile waiver petitions. The public defender is the defense attorney and does not determine charges. Understanding this helps you know that when a waiver to adult court is considered, the authority to initiate that process sits with the county attorney’s office.