The most serious outcome for a juvenile criminal offense is for a juvenile to be certified as an adult. Certification is limited to serious felony offenses and the juvenile must be of a certain age. A hearing is held before the Juvenile District Judge who will decide if the juvenile should be placed in the adult criminal system.

Four factors are used in determining who will be certified as an adult.

1. Offense against a person or property, greater weight for person
2. Sophistication and maturity of the juvenile
3. Previous record
4. If remaining the juvenile system provides adequate protection for the public and services to rehabilitate the juvenile