UNIT 12 VOCABULARY - ADULT &
JUVENILE JUSTICE SYSTEM EXAM
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
delinquent - ANSWER-a minor under 17 years of age who has been charged with an
act which would be a crime if committed by an adult.
Disposition - ANSWER-Equivalent to adult sentencing. Possible dispositions include
release to parents, probation, 30-day short-term sentence, commitment to the
Department of Juvenile Justice, and restrictive custody at a Youth Development
Center ("YDC").
delinquent act - ANSWER-an act committed by a juvenile that would be a criminal
offense according to adult law.
Adjudication - ANSWER-Equivalent to adult trial, where judge hears witnesses,
reviews other evidence, and decides whether to adjudicate juvenile delinquent or
unruly (comparable to finding of guilty or not guilty in adult court). There is no right to
jury trial.
unruly - ANSWER-an act committed by a juvenile that would not be a criminal
offense according to adult law.
Petition - ANSWER-Formal document charging child with delinquency or unruliness.
May only be filed if court or prosecutor has found both probable cause and that filing
is in child's best interests.
Youth Detention Center (YDC) - ANSWER-All Youth Development Campuses (YDC)
provide secure care, supervision and treatment services to youth who have been
committed to the custody of DJJ for and long-term programs.
Informal Adjustment (Detention) - ANSWER-Court or intake officer determines if
probable cause exists; whether to commence case in juvenile court; and whether to
continue detention (if applicable) pending adjudicatory hearing. Intake officer may
decide to use informal adjustment (basically informal probation) if child admits
wrongdoing. If child violates informal adjustment agreement, will return to court for
adjudication.
Special Purpose Districts - ANSWER-government entities created to serve a special
function for the state or community.
Intake - ANSWER-Begins process by which child may be adjudicated delinquent or
unruly or may be prosecuted as adult. Child may be referred to court through
complaint or charge from police, school resource officer, parent, or other citizen.
Child taken into custody is turned over to intake officer, who decides whether child
JUVENILE JUSTICE SYSTEM EXAM
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
delinquent - ANSWER-a minor under 17 years of age who has been charged with an
act which would be a crime if committed by an adult.
Disposition - ANSWER-Equivalent to adult sentencing. Possible dispositions include
release to parents, probation, 30-day short-term sentence, commitment to the
Department of Juvenile Justice, and restrictive custody at a Youth Development
Center ("YDC").
delinquent act - ANSWER-an act committed by a juvenile that would be a criminal
offense according to adult law.
Adjudication - ANSWER-Equivalent to adult trial, where judge hears witnesses,
reviews other evidence, and decides whether to adjudicate juvenile delinquent or
unruly (comparable to finding of guilty or not guilty in adult court). There is no right to
jury trial.
unruly - ANSWER-an act committed by a juvenile that would not be a criminal
offense according to adult law.
Petition - ANSWER-Formal document charging child with delinquency or unruliness.
May only be filed if court or prosecutor has found both probable cause and that filing
is in child's best interests.
Youth Detention Center (YDC) - ANSWER-All Youth Development Campuses (YDC)
provide secure care, supervision and treatment services to youth who have been
committed to the custody of DJJ for and long-term programs.
Informal Adjustment (Detention) - ANSWER-Court or intake officer determines if
probable cause exists; whether to commence case in juvenile court; and whether to
continue detention (if applicable) pending adjudicatory hearing. Intake officer may
decide to use informal adjustment (basically informal probation) if child admits
wrongdoing. If child violates informal adjustment agreement, will return to court for
adjudication.
Special Purpose Districts - ANSWER-government entities created to serve a special
function for the state or community.
Intake - ANSWER-Begins process by which child may be adjudicated delinquent or
unruly or may be prosecuted as adult. Child may be referred to court through
complaint or charge from police, school resource officer, parent, or other citizen.
Child taken into custody is turned over to intake officer, who decides whether child
