R.J., a Child v. State

The State is not required to prove a juvenile’s age to vest subject matter jurisdiction in the juvenile division of the circuit court.

After a trial, appellant was adjudicated delinquent for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. There was ample evidence of the offense. During the trial, the State elicited testimony from the arresting officer that appellant said his birthday was February 13, 1996, making him sixteen years old at the time of the crime. The officer made no other attempt to confirm appellant’s age.

Following up on an objection made in the circuit court, appellant argues on…