Unit 16 Vocabulary

a law enforcement agent who decides if there is enough evidence to bring a charge against a juvenile.

• intake officer

• detective

• judge

• youth detention center

court that hears cases involving juvenile delinquents, under the age of 17, deprived and neglected children under the age of 18, and consent cases between minors and their guardians.

• superior court

• delinquent court

• juvenile court

• probate court

an optional step in the juvenile justice process where a juvenile who is a first time offender must admit guilt to the judge and is under the supervision of the court for 90 days.

• adjudicatory hearing

• disposition hearing

• unruly hearing

• informal adjustment

a step in the juvenile justice process where it is determined if the juvenile should be released to their parent or guardian or if there is enough evidence to hold them in a juvenile detention center until trial.

• adjudicatory hearing

• free me

• release or detain

• lock up

a step in the juvenile justice process where the judge hears witnesses and determines the punishment for the juvenile.

• informal adjustment

• disposition hearing

• adjudicatory hearing

a minor 17 years of age or under who has been charged with wrongdoing

• delinquent

• unruly

• adult

a step in the juvenile justice process where the judge determines the juvenile’s guilt or innocence.

• delinquency hearing

• disposition hearing

• adjudicatory hearing

an act committed by a juvenile that would not be a criminal offense according to adult law.

• delinquent act

• unruly act

an act committed by a juvenile that would be a criminal offense according to adult law.

• delinquent act

• unruly act