Northern Virginia Criminal Justice Academy (NVCJA) Practice Exam

Where are trials conducted if the defendant is an adult and the victim is a juvenile?

1. All proceedings in Circuit Court

2. Preliminary in Adult Court, Trial in JDRC

3. Preliminary in JDRC, Trial in Circuit Court

4. All proceedings in JDRC

The correct answer is: Preliminary in JDRC, Trial in Circuit Court

When a defendant is an adult and the victim is a juvenile, the legal framework dictates that the preliminary hearing occurs in Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court (JDRC), while the trial takes place in Circuit Court. This dual court system helps to accommodate the special considerations involved when dealing with cases that have a juvenile victim. The JDRC is designed to handle matters involving minors, focusing on rehabilitation and protection, which include preliminary hearings when the circumstances involve juveniles. The Circuit Court, on the other hand, is equipped to handle more serious charges and provides an appropriate venue for the trial of an adult, ensuring that the rights of the defendant are preserved while also addressing the serious nature of the crime against the juvenile. The structure is enacted to safeguard the interests of juvenile victims while ensuring that the legal process respects the seriousness of offenses involving adults. Thus, the combination of a preliminary hearing in JDRC and a trial in Circuit Court is a systematic approach that aligns with juvenile justice principles and adult criminal proceedings.