What is the process called when a juvenile case is moved to adult court?

The process of moving a juvenile case to adult court is known as juvenile transfer. This procedure allows the legal system to address serious offenses committed by minors in a manner similar to the adult criminal justice system.

Juvenile transfer is typically based on specific criteria such as the severity of the crime, the age of the juvenile, and their previous criminal history. The rationale behind this process is that certain types of offenses may warrant harsher penalties, which the juvenile system may not be equipped to impose. This transfer of jurisdiction aims to ensure that the legal response is appropriate to the nature of the crime and the perceived threat to public safety.

In contrast, options like preliminary hearing and adult prosecution refer to different stages or aspects of the legal process. A preliminary hearing generally takes place before a trial and is focused on establishing whether there is enough evidence to continue with a case, rather than addressing the transfer of a juvenile to adult court. The term "not possible under ARS" is misleading as Arizona Revised Statutes (ARS) do allow for the transfer of juvenile cases to adult court under certain circumstances.