Teen’s horse stabbing case highlights differences between juvenile, adult court

A teenage girl accused of stabbing three horses at the South Point Arena & Equestrian Center on May 30 has remained in the Clark County Juvenile Detention Center for five months. Prosecutors allege the 17-year-old intentionally injured the animals to prevent them from competing in a barrel racing event.

Clark County District Attorney Steve Wolfson has sought to certify the girl as an adult, stating the case involves "deliberate acts of extreme cruelty against defenseless animals." The certification process stalled for roughly two months while defense attorney James Robison awaited competency evaluations. Family Court Judge Linda Marquis later found the girl fit to stand trial and will rule on certification after a Dec. 8 hearing.

Unlike adult defendants, juveniles do not automatically receive credit for time served in detention before sentencing. Juvenile defense attorney Jon Chagoya said commitments are structured as individualized treatment programs rather than fixed sentences, noting, "There does seem to be an overuse of extended detention for youth as compared to adults." If certified and convicted as an adult, a judge would decide whether her detention time counts toward a prison sentence.

Juvenile Court has no bail system. In June, hearing master Ashley Hanks denied a defense request to release the girl, citing "the numerous counts that we have, the serious nature of these charges, the indications that this was substantially premeditated."

Sources: Las Vegas Review-Journal