Northern Virginia Criminal Justice Academy (NVCJA) Practice Exam

True or False: A juvenile must be 15 years old to be charged with a felony.

1. True

2. False

3. It depends on the crime

4. Only if the crime is violent

The correct answer is: False

The statement is false because the age at which a juvenile can be charged with a felony varies depending on the jurisdiction and the specific laws that govern juvenile proceedings. Most states allow juveniles to be charged with felonies at younger ages than 15, with many permitting charges as young as 10 or 11 years old in some circumstances. In addition, some jurisdictions might have provisions that enable the prosecution of minors as adults based on the severity of the crime or the juvenile's prior criminal record. The nuances of juvenile law are crucial, as they reflect the different approaches states take regarding accountability and rehabilitation for younger offenders. Therefore, the assertion that a juvenile must be 15 years old to face felony charges does not hold true under the broader context of juvenile justice systems.