the juvenile justice process vocabulary

preferential

advantage or priority given a person or group

guardian

legally responsible individual, especially those of a minor

delinquent

somebody especially a young person, who violates a law

incorrigible

somebody that cannot be corrected or improved

destitute

lacking the necessities of life

petition

written document filed in court stating facts and circumstances relied upon as a cause for judicial action

habitual

done regularly and frequently

truant

absent without permission

disobedient

refusing or failing to obey

sophisticated

complicated and refined; elaborate; subtle

alderman

a member of municipal legislative body in a town/city

disposition

settlement of a legal matter

segregate

separate people or things

adjudicate

to reach a judicial decision on something

hereditary

passed on genetically; handed down through generations