what does it means boys could face incarceration in a juvenile facility until they are 18 as a maximum penalty.

and the potential penalty is less for the 12-year-old because of his age.

incarceration = time spent in jail or prison

maximum = the most that can be applied

potential penalty = possible punishment

Okay thanks

The sentence "boys could face incarceration in a juvenile facility until they are 18 as a maximum penalty" means that if boys commit a crime, they can be sentenced to serve time in a juvenile facility until they reach the age of 18. This is the harshest punishment they can receive within the juvenile justice system.

To understand this statement, it is important to know the following information:

1. Juvenile facility: This refers to a specialized institution that detains and rehabilitates young individuals who have committed offenses. These facilities aim to provide age-appropriate services to help young offenders learn and grow, rather than focusing solely on punishment.

2. Incarceration: It means being confined to a prison or detention center as a punishment for committing a crime.

3. Maximum penalty: This refers to the most severe punishment that can be imposed for a particular offense or within a given legal framework. In this case, the maximum penalty for boys in the juvenile justice system is being detained in a juvenile facility until they turn 18.

It's important to note that the purpose of the juvenile justice system is not solely to punish but also to rehabilitate young individuals. Therefore, the specific circumstances of the case, the age of the offender, and their potential for reform are taken into consideration when determining the length and type of sentence given to them.