Glossary of Juvenile Justice Terms
Adjudicatory Hearing. The hearing at which a judge hears evidence and determines whether the allegations in a petition are truethat is, whether the juvenile is delinquent or undisciplined as alleged in the petition.
Alternative-to-Detention Court Counselors. Court counselors who provide daily contact, supervision, and monitoring of a relatively small number of juveniles who otherwise would be placed in secure detention.
Aftercare. Supervision of a juvenile who has been returned to the community from training school.
Chief Court Counselor. The person responsible for administration and supervision of juvenile intake, probation, and aftercare services in a judicial district.
Complaint. An oral or written allegation that a juvenile is undisciplined or delinquent.
Court. The district court.
Court Counselor. A person responsible for intake, probation and aftercare services to juveniles.
Delinquent Juvenile. A juvenile who, while under age sixteen, committed a crime or infraction under state law or under a local government ordinance.
Detention. Confinement of a juvenile in an authorized facility pursuant to a secure custody order, pending a court hearing or placement in training school.
Dispositional Hearing. The hearing, after a juvenile has been adjudicated to be delinquent or undisciplined, at which the judge (1) considers evidence about the juveniles needs, available resources, and other relevant factors and (2) designs a plan to meet the juveniles needs and the interests of the state.
Intake The process by which a decision is made to either:
Intensive Service Court Counselors. Court counselors who provide concentrated probation supervision to a small caseload (maximum of 10) of juveniles who need extra attention.
Judge. A district court judge.
Juvenile. A person under age eighteen who is not married, emancipated, or in the armed services. (See also, "Delinquent Juvenile" and "Undisciplined Juvenile.")
Juvenile Code. North Carolina laws (G.S. 7A-516, et. seq.) that address delinquent and undisciplined juveniles (as well as abused, neglected, and dependent juveniles, and other matters relating to juveniles).
Nonsecure Custody. The physical placement of a juvenile in a licensed foster home or other home or facility, before disposition and pursuant to a written court order.
Petition. The document filed with the court to initiate a juvenile proceeding.
Probation. The status of a juvenile who has been adjudicated delinquent and is subject to specified conditions under the supervision of a court counselor.
Prosecutor. The assistant district attorney assigned to represent the state in delinquency proceedings.
Protective Supervision. The status of a juvenile who has been adjudicated delinquent or undisciplined and is under the supervision of a court counselor, but is not on probation.
Secure Custody. The physical placement of a juvenile in an approved detention facility, pursuant to a court order.
Temporary Custody. The physical taking and holding of a juvenile under personal supervision, before a petition is filed and without a court order.
Training Schools. Five residential facilities operated by the Division of Youth Services in the state Department of Human Resources for delinquent juveniles who are a danger to persons or property in the community and for whom no less restrictive placement is available or appropriate.
Undisciplined Juvenile. A juvenile who, while under age sixteen, (1) was unlawfully absent from school, (2) was regularly disobedient to and beyond the disciplinary control of his or her parent, guardian, or custodian, (3) was regularly found in places where it is unlawful for a juvenile to be, or (4) ran away from home.