Dictionary of Law
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

juvenile court :: legal definition


Juvenile court - n. a special court or department of a trial court which deals with under-age defendants charged with crimes or who are neglected or out of the control of their parents. The normal age of these defendants is under 18, but juvenile court does not have jurisdiction in cases in which minors are charged as adults. The procedure in juvenile court is not always adversarial (although the minor is entitled to legal representation by a lawyer). It can be an attempt to involve parents or social workers and probation officers in the process to achieve positive results and save the minor from involvement in future crimes. However, serious crimes and repeated offenses can result in sentencing juvenile offenders to prison, with transfer to state prison upon reaching adulthood with limited maximum sentences. Where parental neglect or loss of control is a problem, the juvenile court may seek out foster homes for the juvenile, treating the child as a ward of the court.

See also: court juvenile delinquent and Related Law Terms ↓


Related Law Terms

ad litem :: adj. legal Latin meaning "for the purposes of the ... of age. See also: guardian ad litem
admission to bail :: n. an order of a court in a criminal case allowing ... lient. See also: bail bail bondsman
adoption :: n. the taking of a child into one's family, creati ... the child are met. See also: adopt
alimony :: n. support paid by one ex-spouse to the other as o ... ild support divorce spousal support
American Civil Liberties Union :: n. a membership organization founded in 1920 to de ... rk, NY 10036; tel.: (212) 944-9800.
answer :: n. in law, a written pleading filed by a defendant ... emurrer general denial verification
appeal :: 1) v. to ask a higher court to reverse the decisio ... ng, as in "he has filed an appeal."
arrest :: v. 1) to take or hold a suspected criminal with le ... anda warning probable cause warrant
attachment :: n. the seizing of money or property prior to getti ... bond. See also: writ of attachment
attempt :: v. and n. to actually try to commit a crime and ha ... felt he tried but did not succeed.
bail :: 1) n. the money or bond put up to secure the relea ... bond bail bondsman own recognizance
bankruptcy :: n. a federal system of statutes and courts which p ... y proceedings trustee in bankruptcy
bar examination :: n. the examination given in each state by either t ... n that district. See also: attorney
capital offense :: n. any criminal charge which is punishable by the ... . See also: bail capital punishment
Chief Justice :: n. the presiding judge of any State Supreme Court ... nks of existing Associate Justices.
child custody :: n. a court's determination of which parent, relati ... pport custody divorce joint custody
clean hands doctrine :: n. a rule of law that a person coming to court wit ... ices. See also: affirmative defense
complaint :: n. the first document filed with the court (actual ... g prayer service of process summons
conservator :: n. a guardian and protector appointed by a judge t ... ies. See also: conservatee guardian
constitution :: n. the fundamental, underlying document which esta ... ts common law constitutional rights
court :: n. 1) the judge, as in "The court rules in favor o ... cost and wait of full court trials.
court costs :: n. fees for expenses that the courts pass on to at ... ee also: cost bill prevailing party
crime of passion :: n. a defendant's excuse for committing a crime due ... dant. See also: manslaughter murder
cross-complaint :: n. after a complaint has been filed against a defe ... g prayer service of process summons
cruel and unusual punishment :: n. governmental penalties against convicted crimin ... opted. See also: capital punishment
default judgment :: n. if a defendant in a lawsuit fails to respond to ... See also: complaint default summons
diversion :: n. in criminal procedure, a system for giving a ch ... second offense. See also: probation
DNA :: n. scientifically, deoxyribonucleic acid, a chromo ... is strongly in favor of admission.
emancipation :: n. freeing a minor child from the control of paren ... vorced parent to pay child support.
equal protection of the law :: n. the right of all persons to have the same acces ... laws." See also: due process of law
examination :: n. 1) the questioning of a witness by an attorney. ... irect examination testimony witness
excessive bail :: n. an amount of bail ordered posted by an accused ... ppeal for reduction. See also: bail
excusable neglect :: n. a legitimate excuse for the failure of a party ... See also: default default judgment
extradition :: n. the surrender by one state or country of a pers ... ty. See also: fugitive from justice
felony :: n. 1) a crime sufficiently serious to be punishabl ... ion. See also: misdemeanor sentence
file :: 1) v. to deposit with the clerk of the court a wri ... rrespondence and notes on the case.
forum non conveniens :: (for-uhm nahn cahn-vee-nee-ehns) n. Latin for a fo ... most convenient location for trial.
Grand Jury :: n. a jury in each county or federal court district ... arge indictment preliminary hearing
guardian :: n. a person who has been appointed by a judge to t ... torship. See also: conservator ward
habeas corpus :: (hay-bee-us core-puss) n. Latin for "you have the ... nality of a state court conviction.
indictment :: n. a charge of a felony (serious crime) voted by a ... ictable offense preliminary hearing
information :: n. an accusation or criminal charge brought by the ... Jury indictment preliminary hearing
insanity :: n. mental illness of such a severe nature that a p ... M'Naughten rule temporary insanity
insolvency :: n. 1) the condition of having more debts (liabilit ... the property. See also: bankruptcy
interest :: n. 1) any and all, partial or total right to prope ... nal property real property standing
jeopardy :: n. peril, particularly danger of being charged wit ... ar Evers. See also: double jeopardy
joint and several :: adj. referring to a debt or a judgment for neglige ... ution contributory negligence joint
joint tenancy :: n. a crucial relationship in the ownership of real ... ty property tenancy in common title
judge :: 1) n. an official with the authority and responsib ... ice justice of the peace magistrate
judgment creditor :: n. the winning plaintiff in a lawsuit to whom the ... 's rights judgment prevailing party
jump bail :: v. to fail to appear for a court appearance after ... also: bail bail bond bail bondsman
jurisdiction :: n. the authority given by law to a court to try ca ... Superior Court Supreme Court venue
juvenile delinquent :: n. a person who is under age (usually below 18), w ... low as 14. See also: juvenile court
last clear chance :: n. a rule of law in determining responsibility for ... contributory negligence negligence
leading question :: n. a question asked of a witness by an attorney du ... e also: cross-examination objection
lis pendens :: (lease pen-dense) n. Latin for "a suit pending," a ... ob can be penalized by court order.
long-arm statute :: n. law which gives a local state court jurisdictio ... rt jurisdiction over the defendant.
malpractice :: n. An act or continuing conduct of a professional ... eed. See also: errors and omissions
Miranda warning :: n. the requirement, also called the Miranda rule, ... me such a suspect? See also: rights
misjoinder :: n. the inclusion of parties (plaintiffs or defenda ... ent transactions. See also: joinder
no contest :: n. in criminal law, a defendant's plea in court th ... : nolo contendere plea plea bargain
no fault insurance :: n: a type of automobile insurance required of car ... ling lawsuits. See also: negligence
nominal party :: n. a defendant or a plaintiff included in a lawsui ... ed. See also: necessary party party
not guilty :: n. 1) plea of a person who claims not to have comm ... t guilty by reason of insanity plea
not guilty by reason of insanity :: n. plea in court of a person charged with a crime ... fense not guilty temporary insanity
own recognizance :: (O.R.) n. the basis for a judge allowing a person ... n recognizance. See also: bail O.R.
paid into court :: adj. referring to money deposited with the clerk o ... differences. See also: interpleader
parental neglect :: n. a crime consisting of acts or omissions of a pa ... usive or sexually predatory person.
party :: n. 1) one of the participants in a lawsuit or othe ... y real party in interest respondent
perjury :: n. the crime of intentionally lying after being du ... ly made a mistake or misunderstood.
plaintiff :: n. the party who initiates a lawsuit by filing a c ... lso: complaint defendant petitioner
plea :: n. 1) in criminal law, the response by an accused ... raignment plead preliminary hearing
plea bargain :: n. in criminal procedure, a negotiation between th ... the ban. See also: cop a plea plea
precedent :: 1) n. a prior reported opinion of an appeals court ... to perform. See also: stare decisis
preliminary hearing :: n. in criminal law, a hearing to determine if a pe ... nment charge Grand Jury information
privileged communication :: n. statements and conversations made under circums ... See also: attorney-client privilege
privileges and immunities :: n. the fundamental rights that people enjoy in fre ... t impinge on constitutional rights.
probate :: 1) n. the process of proving a will is valid and t ... e also: administrator executor will
process :: n. in law, the legal means by which a person is re ... service of process subpena summons
proof :: n. confirmation of a fact by evidence. In a trial, ... doubt preponderance of the evidence
release on one's own recognizance :: v. for a judge to allow a criminal defendant pre-t ... ourtroom slang. See also: bail O.R.
resulting trust :: n. a trust implied by law (as determined by a cour ... See also: constructive trust trust
review :: n. the judicial consideration of a lower court jud ... ate court reversal reversible error
sanction :: n. 1) a financial penalty imposed by a judge on a ... ction." See also: contempt of court
search and seizure :: n. examination of a person's premises (residence, ... robable cause search search warrant
sedition :: n. the federal crime of advocacy of insurrection a ... e rare. See also: espionage treason
sentence :: 1) n. the punishment given to a person convicted o ... ence restitution suspended sentence
small claims court :: n. a division of most municipal, city or other low ... od example of a small claims court.
statute of limitations :: n. a law which sets the maximum period which one c ... ies. See also: demurrer laches toll
summons :: n. a document issued by the court at the time a la ... use service service of process writ
tort :: n. from French for "wrong," a civil wrong or wrong ... nce slander trespass wrongful death
trust :: n. an entity created to hold assets for the benefi ... testamentary trust trustee trustor
variance :: n. 1) an exception to a zoning ordinance, authoriz ... process." See also: dismissal proof
vehicular manslaughter :: n. the crime of causing the death of a human being ... gence manslaughter reckless driving
venue :: n. 1) the proper or most convenient location for t ... ion. See also: forum non conveniens
void for vagueness :: adj. referring to a statute defining a crime which ... o the states by the 14th Amendment.
ward :: n. 1) a person (usually a minor) who has a guardia ... ouncil district. See also: guardian
warrant :: 1) n. an order (writ) of a court which directs a l ... e search and seizure search warrant
wet reckless :: n. a plea to a charge of reckless driving which wa ... conviction. See also: plea bargain
youthful offenders :: n. under-age people accused of crimes who are proc ... alty. See also: juvenile delinquent

Popular Law Searches

legal definition ministerial act :: n. an act, particularly of a governmental employee ... exercising any individual judgment.
chancery legal definition :: n. a court that can order acts performed. Today ch ... ts in most states. See also: equity
testamentary disposition legal definition :: n. how the terms of a will divide the testator's ( ... named beneficiaries. See also: will
contract of sufferance :: n. a "hold-over" tenancy after a lease has expired ... y tenancy at will unlawful detainer
forthwith legal definition :: adv. a term found in contracts, court orders and s ... mediacy, with no excuses for delay.
forthwith definition legal :: adv. a term found in contracts, court orders and s ... mediacy, with no excuses for delay.
what is to wit in a legal contract :: prep. that is to say. Example: "the passengers in ... tty Bumgartner and Sherry Younger."
mirror wills legal definition :: n. the wills of a husband and wife which are ident ... d each names the other as executor.
clean hands doctrine latin :: n. a rule of law that a person coming to court wit ... ices. See also: affirmative defense
sine qua non only relates to contract law :: (see-nay kwah nahn) prep. Latin for "without which ... qua non of the injury to Playmate.

Other Law Terms - J

J :: n. abbreviation for Judge, as in the Hon. William ... as in the Hon. William B. Boone, J.
Jane Doe :: n. 1) a fictitious name used for a possible female ... lso: fictitious defendants John Doe
jaywalking :: n. walking across a street outside of marked cross ... jury to the jaywalker by a vehicle.
JD :: n. short for Juris Doctor, identifying the holder ... law degree. See also: Juris Doctor
jeopardy :: n. peril, particularly danger of being charged wit ... ar Evers. See also: double jeopardy
jobber :: n. a merchant who buys products (usually in bulk o ... buys and acts for specific clients.
John Doe :: n. 1) a fictitious name used for a possible male d ... lso: fictitious defendants Jane Doe
joinder :: n. the joining together of several lawsuits or sev ... er misjoinder multiplicity of suits
joinder of issue :: n. that point in a lawsuit when the defendant has ... matters are to be decided by trial.
joint :: adj., adv. referring to property, rights or obliga ... ncy joint venture tenancy in common
joint adventure :: n. when two or more people go together on a trip o ... e activity. See also: joint venture
joint and several :: adj. referring to a debt or a judgment for neglige ... ution contributory negligence joint
joint custody :: n. in divorce actions, a decision by the court (of ... em. See also: child custody divorce
joint enterprise :: n. a generic term for an activity of two or more p ... liability joint venture partnership
joint liability :: n. when two or more persons are both responsible f ... See also: joinder joint and several
joint powers agreement :: n. a contract between a city, a county and/or a sp ... istrict or other government entity.
joint tenancy :: n. a crucial relationship in the ownership of real ... ty property tenancy in common title
joint tortfeasors :: n. two or more persons whose negligence in a singl ... : comparative negligence negligence
joint venture :: n. an enterprise entered into by two or more peopl ... s terminated. See also: partnership
Jones Act :: n., adj. a federal law which covers injuries to cr ... ." See also: admiralty maritime law