Juveniles in the Criminal Justice System
Juvenile Criminals
individuals under the age of 18 years who have committed a crime; each state
has their own juvenile age policies
Juvenile Delinquent
individual who has committed an act considered a crime at any age
Status Offender
juvenile who has committed an act which is an offense only because of their
age
Larceny
crime involving the unlawful theft of property from another person or a business
Parental Notification
immediate notification of a juvenile’s arrest, rights and nature of the alleged
crimes to the parent or guardian
Juvenile Miranda Rights
legal rights (right to remain silent, to have a lawyer present, to have a parent
present, etc.) which an officer must advise a juvenile of when being interviewed
or arrested
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Juvenile Court
special court which deals with juveniles who have been accused of violating
the law; can handle both status offense and juvenile delinquency court cases
Adult Court
treats juveniles as adults; are subject to more severe punishments
Non-Custodial Arrest
juvenile offender is not taken into police custody
Custodial Arrest
juvenile offender is taken into police custody
Juvenile Police Detention
space or facility for securing juvenile suspects separately from adults
Arraignment
part of the initial hearing when the court explains the formal charges against
the juvenile alleged in the petition
Accompanies: Juveniles in the Criminal Justice System
1
Juveniles in the Criminal Justice System
Initial Hearing
determines the resulting consequences against the juvenile’s delinquent
actions
Adjudicatory Hearing
juvenile case goes to trial in front of a judge, where both attorneys present
evidence, question the witnesses and discuss the case
Disposition Hearing
judge considers all recommendations to make a final decision on how to
handle the juvenile’s case; occurs after the adjudicatory hearing
Disposition Order
written and signed document by the court stating the decision chosen for the
juvenile and any necessary sentencing conditions
Informal Penalties
decided by a probation or intake officer in place of going to court
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Court-Ordered Penalties
decided by a judge after a juvenile completes the court process
Graduated Sanctions
intervention strategies designed to act in unison to encourage accountability,
protect public safety and reduce reoffending by preventing future juvenile
criminal behavior
Diagnostic Centers
short-term, secure facilities which screen juveniles for the appropriate facility
Detention Centers
short-term, secure facilities which provide temporary placement and care for
juveniles awaiting adjudication, disposition or transfer
Long-Term Secure Facilities
provide juveniles strict, long-term confinement
Youth Shelters
short-term facilities which provide temporary care (like a detention center), but
unrestricted
Group Homes
long-term facilities in which juveniles can freely be a part of their community
(going to school or a job) while under supervised care
Accompanies: Juveniles in the Criminal Justice System
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Juveniles in the Criminal Justice System
Wilderness or Ranch Camps
long-term facilities which provide juveniles with challenging activities to reduce
delinquent behaviors and encourage accountability
Boot Camp
strict, secure facilities where juveniles partake in drills and physical labor, like
military basic training, to break their resistance; term length depends on court
decision
Residential Treatment Facilities
community facilities which provide juveniles with individually planned treatment
programs, while allowing them to be a part of the public; term length depends
on treatment program
Alternative Programs
programs which focus on rehabilitation and re-offense prevention; allows
juveniles to be held responsible for their delinquent actions without
incarceration or detention
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Probation
juveniles continue living in their communities, but under restrictions and
conditions specified by the court and report to a probationary officer
Accompanies: Juveniles in the Criminal Justice System
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