What does youthful offender mean

When a person is granted YO by a judge, this designation has several benefits, some of them substantial. First and foremost, if the charged offense is a felony, YO drastically reduces the range of punishment in the case to a maximum sentence of three years. Depending on the level of felony offense involved, this can be an important benefit. Mandatory and discretionary youthful offender : The distinguishing elements between mandatory and discretionary youthful offender are important and should be known to all attorneys practicing in criminal court to protect their client's right to have a criminal conviction expunged.

Mandatory youthful offender: Youths who fall within the age categories who are charged with all misdemeanors are required to be treated by the court as apparently eligible youths. All proceedings are closed to the public. This is true even in matters where the court may later determine that the accused, due to their prior record, is not entitled to youthful offender determination. Discretionary youthful offender: Youths who fall within the youthful offender age category who are charged with most felonies or has previously been convicted of a crime misdemeanor or felony or has previously been adjudicated a youthful offender are eligible to be treated as youthful offenders, however this treatment is entirely discretionary on the sentencing court.

Pre-sentence report probation report : Upon a finding of guilt by plea or after trial, where youthful offender status is either mandatory or discretionary, a pre-sentence report, sometimes referred to as a probation report, must be ordered from the county probation department.

The purpose of a pre-sentence report is to identify those convicted individuals who may to eligible for youthful offender status, either mandatory or discretionary, and what level of sanction fine, probation or jail is appropriate in this particular matter. The report will make recommendations to the sentencing court, most of which are only recommendations and not binding on the court. One of the major exceptions to this is a recommendation for mandatory youthful offender, which must be approved by the court.

Much older than I he had long since passed through these youthful phases. The handsome person and gallant bearing of the youthful knight excited general sympathy and regret.

Her real bitterness taught me what a purely youthful symptom mine had been, and she was rather a clever girl, often entertaining. New Word List Word List. Save This Word! Legal Definition of youthful offender. Learn More About youthful offender. Share youthful offender Post the Definition of youthful offender to Facebook Share the Definition of youthful offender on Twitter.

Style: MLA. Get Word of the Day daily email! Test Your Vocabulary.