LAS VEGAS — Clark County’s juvenile certification remains a hot issue today, as it allows juveniles to be tried as adults and face adult penalties.
In Nevada, the justice system holds a certification hearing to determine whether a juvenile’s case can be transferred to adult court. According to the Supreme Court of Nevada, juvenile cases can also be transferred to adult court if they meet the adult criminal court standard for competence. These standards, similar to Dusky standards, include a reasonable degree of rational understanding and whether the juvenile has a rational understanding of the proceedings against them.
Courts will also need to use multiple factors to justify trying a juvenile as an adult. These will include the offense seriousness, the age of the juvenile, previous records, maturity, and risk to public safety. Attorneys and judges also assess rehabilitation potential during the certification hearings. All of these factors are incredibly important, especially in high-profile cases where certification decisions will face intense scrutiny.
The reason juvenile certifications remain a highly debated subject is that they balance public safety with rehabilitation goals.
