Transfer to Criminal Court
Juveniles who are fourteen years of age or older and charged with a felony offense may be transferred to criminal court.
Transfer hearings ordinarily have two phases. The first phase of the transfer hearing is that the court must determine if there is a “prima facie” showing of evidence that the juvenile committed a delinquent act. The second phase is where the court must determine whether there are reasonable grounds to determine that the transfer of the case for criminal prosecution takes into account public safety by considering various factors in the law. During the second phase, the court must determine if the juvenile is agreeable to treatment, supervision or rehabilitation as a juvenile.