When a minor is arrested for a serious offense in Missouri, the case does not automatically remain in juvenile court. Depending on the charge and the child’s age, a juvenile may be moved out of the juvenile system and prosecuted as an adult. This means an adult criminal record, adult sentencing, and sometimes even adult jail.
What “Certification” Means
The legal process for transferring a case from a juvenile court to an adult court is called certification. This is governed by RSMo 211.071, which is part of the Missouri juvenile code and controls when a child can be prosecuted under general law instead of through the juvenile system. The Missouri juvenile court generally deals with children under 18 years old, as per the state’s “raise the age” reform in 2018. Certification removes this protection for one specific case.
Two Paths to Adult Court
Missouri law now creates two separate tracks for certification.
The first is discretionary certification. It applies to children between 14 and 18. A court may order a hearing if a child is accused of a Class A or B felony, a sex offense, or three felonies in 180 days. The juvenile officer, prosecuting attorney, child, or child’s guardian can request this hearing. The court does not have to grant the transfer.
The second is the mandatory hearing track. It applies to children as young as 12. A hearing is required, though the outcome is still up to the judge, when the charges involve the most serious felonies. These include murder, first-degree assault, forcible rape or sodomy, first- degree robbery, drug distribution or manufacturing, other “dangerous felonies,” any felony involving a deadly weapon, or a repeat offense after a prior felony.
What the Court Considers
Even a mandatory hearing does not guarantee a transfer from the juvenile court to the adult court. Before deciding to dismiss a juvenile case and transfer it to the adult system, the court will consider several factors:
- The seriousness of the offense and whether it poses a threat to public safety
- Whether there was violence or the use of weapons involved in the crime
- Whether the crime targeted a person or property
- The history of repeat offenses by the child
- The child’s previous involvement in the juvenile justice system
- The maturity and home environment of the child
- The child’s age
- Whether existing juvenile programs can effectively help the child
- Racial disparity, which was recently added as a factor by lawmakers in the latest version of the law
Prosecutors Now Have a Bigger Role
One major 2026 change affecting who can start the process is that under the version of RSMo 211.071, which has been in effect since August 28th, 2025, prosecuting attorneys can also file motions to certify children as adults and present evidence at hearings. Strict deadlines govern how quickly decisions must be made now.
What Happens After Certification
If the case is transferred, the child will be prosecuted in the same way as an adult, with the same sentencing options. Missouri law provides some protection before this happens. A juvenile may remain in a secure detention facility for juveniles instead of an adult prison while the decision on certification is being finalized or appealed under RSMo 211.072. However, once there is a conviction, the jurisdiction of the juvenile court over this offense is lost.
Why This Hearing Matters So Much
For a family facing certification, this hearing often decides whether a child’s case will go through rehabilitation-focused juvenile programs or the full adult system. The factors that a judge must consider, from maturity to rehabilitation potential, leave room for skilled advocates to change the outcome.
Protecting Your Child’s Future Starts Now
If you have been charged with a crime, you already know that there is a lot at stake: your freedom, your reputation, your relationships, your job, and perhaps your ability to remain in this country. When your child is facing a hearing, the stakes are equally real. The government has dedicated real resources to seeking a conviction.
Mueller Law Group, LLC has spent years building defense strategies from every angle. No matter how many juvenile cases come through the door, there is always a young person with a future worth protecting at stake. Contact Mueller Law today to discuss your child’s hearing and what can be done to help.