Under what circumstances can a juvenile be tried as an adult in North Carolina?

In North Carolina, a juvenile can be tried as an adult primarily for certain serious felonies. This includes offenses such as murder, armed robbery, and other serious crimes, where the legal system recognizes the severity of the crime and its potential implications on public safety. This provision ensures that serious offenses committed by juveniles are addressed with the appropriate level of accountability, reflecting the nature of the crime while considering the age of the offender.

The process for trying a juvenile as an adult involves pre-determined criteria set by the law, allowing courts to weigh the circumstances surrounding the offense, the juvenile's history, and their age at the time of the crime. This approach aims to balance rehabilitation for younger offenders with the necessity of public safety and justice for more serious breaches of the law.

The other choices do not accurately reflect the legal framework. For instance, minor offenses typically do not meet the criteria for adult prosecution, and the decision is not solely based on the juvenile's request or just age alone but rather on the specific nature of the criminal offense.