NCJ Number
133535
Date Published
1992
Length
7 pages
Annotation
Juvenile courts' jurisdiction and procedures vary widely throughout the United States, yet they all handle referrals for juvenile delinquency, cases involving child abuse and neglect, and juvenile status offenses.
Abstract
In all these matters, the juvenile court's jurisdiction is exclusive, although cases involving crimes that adults commit against children may involve concurrent jurisdiction with other courts. In the majority of States, the court's jurisdiction extends to age 18 years, although some states limit jurisdiction to ages 17, 16, or younger. Juvenile courts receive referrals from parents, police officers, victims, schools, and social service agencies. The intake staff examines the referral report and decides whether to handle the case formally or informally. Formal processing starts with arraignment before a judge, with the youth represented by an attorney. An adjudicatory hearing may follow. The dispositional phase is the central component of the juvenile court, focusing on rehabilitation and involving the consideration of extensive information about the youth before determining a placement and treatment program. Two other juvenile court procedures are juvenile court waiver to adult criminal court and juvenile detention. At various points during juvenile court procedures, the court may request a mental health evaluation. 6 references