What is the primary focus of juvenile courts?

The primary focus of juvenile courts is rehabilitation rather than punishment. This approach recognizes that juveniles are still developing and are often capable of change. Juvenile courts aim to provide support and guidance to help young offenders understand their actions, learn from their mistakes, and reintegrate into society more positively.

The philosophy behind this focus is grounded in the belief that with proper intervention, education, and support, juveniles can develop into responsible adults. The court system uses various programs, such as counseling and community service, to encourage growth and personal development instead of imposing harsh penalties. This rehabilitation-centric model aims to reduce recidivism rates among youths and promote better behavioral choices in the future.

While protecting the public is also an important consideration within the juvenile justice system, it is secondary to the goal of helping juveniles transform their lives through rehabilitation.