In New Jersey, a 14-year-old boy accused of killing a police officer will be tried in juvenile court, which means no public trial or jury involvement. Under state law, only those 15 and older can be moved to adult court. The juvenile court process is secretive, and while he faces a maximum of 20 years if convicted, he is unlikely to serve the full sentence. This has raised concerns among law enforcement about the leniency of the justice system in handling serious crimes committed by minors.
But if you're 14, you can't be waived to adult court.
If the alleged shooter was tried as an adult, a jury could slap him with 30 years to life in prison for killing a cop.
Practically speaking, his case is in the newspaper, and everybody's gonna know he was charged; but if somebody says to him at a job interview, 'Have you ever been arrested?'... the answer is no.
It's really a separate track for the justice system, and it's designed that way.
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