Sal Nuccio has more than 15 years experience defending juvenile delinquency cases, from simple misdemeanors to serious felonies and sex crimes

A "delinquent" youth is one who, if he/she was an adult, could be charged with any crime listed in Title 13 of the Arizona Revised Statutes. ARS § 8-201.

The Juvenile Court has delinquency jurisdiction over children and juveniles from age 8 until their 18th birthday.

A youth, between ages 15 and 18, who commits murder in the first       degree, murder in the second degree, forcible sexual assault, armed robbery,       aggravated driving or any other violent offense SHALL be tried in adult       criminal court. ARS § 13-501.

A youth, who is at least 14 years of age, and who has been convicted       in the Juvenile Court of two prior felonies and then is arrested for another       felony MAY be tried in the adult criminal court if the County Attorney believes       it is necessary to protect the public. ARS § 13-501.

If the County Attorney wants to try any other juvenile in adult criminal       court, a motion to transfer must be filed. A Juvenile Court judge must then   make two determinations: (1) whether there is probable cause to proceed;   and if so, (2) whether the juvenile should be transferred to the adult court   to protect the community after a consideration of the seriousness of the   alleged offense and the manner it was caused, whether a deadly weapon or   dangerous instrument was used, whether it was a crime against property or   person; whether anyone was injured as a result of the juvenile's actions,   whether the juvenile was acting with or furtherance of a gang, the juvenile's   sophistication and maturity, the juvenile's physical, mental and emotional   condition, the juvenile's previous Juvenile Court history, if any, whether   the juvenile had previously been committed to the Arizona Department of   Juvenile Corrections and the prospects for adequate protection of the public   and the likelihood of reasonable rehabilitation by the use of services and   facilities of the Court. Rule 14, Rules of Procedure for the Juvenile