Which of the following would MOST LIKELY be tried as an adult in Georgia?
Responses
A A 14-year-old charged with involuntary manslaughterA 14-year-old charged with involuntary manslaughter
B A 13-year-old charged with theft greater than $500A 13-year-old charged with theft greater than $500
C A 16-year-old charged with truancyA 16-year-old charged with truancy
D A 15-year-old charged with possession of drugs
In Georgia, the age at which a juvenile can be tried as an adult for certain crimes is generally 17. However, for certain serious offenses, juveniles as young as 13 can be tried as adults if they are charged with crimes that fall under the "Seven Deadly Sins" law, which includes murder, , armed robbery with a firearm, aggravated child molestation, aggravated sodomy, and aggravated sexual battery.
Given the options:
A) A 14-year-old charged with involuntary manslaughter might be tried as an adult under certain circumstances, especially if the case is serious and the prosecution decides to seek adult court jurisdiction. Involuntary manslaughter can be considered a very serious offense, depending on the details.
B) A 13-year-old charged with theft greater than $500 would generally be tried in juvenile court, as theft is not typically one of the offenses that would allow a 13-year-old to be tried as an adult in Georgia.
C) A 16-year-old charged with truancy would most likely not be tried as an adult. Truancy is a status offense and generally handled within the juvenile justice system.
D) A 15-year-old charged with possession of drugs would typically be tried in juvenile court, as drug possession, while serious, is not among the most severe offenses that would trigger adult court jurisdiction for someone of that age.
Based on the information provided, option A (a 14-year-old charged with involuntary manslaughter) would be the most likely scenario where the juvenile would be tried as an adult, given the severity of the offense. However, it is essential to note that the decision to try a juvenile as an adult depends on various factors, including the circumstances of the case, the juvenile's past record, and the specific laws in place at the time of the offense. The prosecutor and the court have discretion in these matters.