What must happen to a juvenile who has been certified in an adult court when committing a new felony?

The correct answer is that a juvenile who has been certified in an adult court must be treated as a juvenile for the new crime. This situation arises from jurisdictional rules that govern how individuals are processed within the criminal justice system. When a juvenile is certified to stand trial as an adult, that decision pertains only to specific offenses for which the juvenile has been certified. If that juvenile later commits another crime, the original certification does not automatically apply; rather, the youth will still have the protections and considerations afforded to juveniles under the law for subsequent offenses.

In many jurisdictions, the way the law is structured allows juveniles to be re-evaluated based on the particulars surrounding the new offense, considering their age, maturity, and the nature of the crime. This offers a more rehabilitative approach to juvenile offenders, reflecting the understanding that youth can change and may benefit more from juvenile justice interventions rather than facing adult penalties.

This means that while the juvenile may be treated as an adult in certain circumstances, the legal framework allows for the continued consideration of their juvenile status for new offenses. Thus, the treatment of the juvenile in the context of new crimes will differ from the initial offense that led to their certification.