Alaska Minor Offense Legal Rights and Plea Options refer to the legal rights and plea options available to minors (under 18) who have been charged with a crime in Alaska. These rights and options are regulated by the Alaska Statutes. Generally, minors have the same rights as adults in the criminal justice process, including the right to an attorney, the right to remain silent, the right to a jury trial, and the right to appeal. There are three main plea options available to minors in Alaska: guilty, no contest, and not guilty. If a minor pleads guilty, they admit to the crime and accept the sentence that is issued by the court. If a minor pleads no contest, they do not admit guilt but accept the sentence. If a minor pleads not guilty, they are asserting that they did not commit the crime and the court will determine if they are innocent or guilty. Other plea options are available in Alaska depending on the type and severity of the offense. These include diversion and deferred sentencing. Diversion allows the minor to enroll in a program or counseling to avoid prosecution and a criminal record. Deferred sentencing may be an option if the minor is deemed low-risk and the court may order a period of supervision or probation.