At what point does the judge decide punishment in the Juvenile Justice System?

A judge can sentence a juvenile who has been found to be delinquent by issuing a disposition order. Sometimes they will sentence the juvenile to a period of incarceration, but probation and other more lenient options are common. Even if a juvenile receives a sentence that involves incarceration, this is usually not the same as an adult criminal defendant being sentenced to prison. Often, incarceration will consist of house arrest or placement with a different relative or in a foster home. A judge also may order a juvenile to spend a short period in a juvenile detention facility, possibly followed by a period of probation.

If a juvenile has committed a more serious crime, a judge may sentence them to a longer period of incarceration in a secured juvenile facility. This term can last for a year or more. In some unusual cases, a juvenile may be sentenced to spend time in a regular jail or prison. If they are near the age of majority when they commit a serious crime, they may receive a blended sentence. This means that they are sentenced to juvenile detention initially and then transferred to an adult jail or prison once they reach the age of majority.