Vocab CG5 Georgia's Juvenile Offenders

Juvenile Delinquent

a minor under 17 years of age who has been charged with an act which would be a crime if committed by an adult.

Delinquent Act

an act committed by a juvenile that would be a criminal offense according to adult law.

Unruly Act

an act committed by a juvenile that would not be a criminal offense according to adult law.

Intake

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 should be temporarily detained to protect child or public, to prevent child from running away, or if child is without proper supervision.

Informal Adjustment - Detention

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.

Petition

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.

Adjudication

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.

Disposition

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').