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Glossary of Terms
Terms Used In Pennsylvania's Juvenile Justice System
Below is a list of common terms used in Pennsylvania’s juvenile justice system which may be used regarding your child.Accountability | The responsibility a child has for repairing the harm caused by the crime that they committed. |
Adjudication Hearing |
A hearing in juvenile Court where the District Attorney/Prosecutor, as a representative of the Commonwealth, presents their case to prove that a child committed the offense he/she has been charged with. |
Adjudication of Delinquency |
When a child is found by the Court to have broken the law and is in need of treatment, supervision or rehabilitation. |
Appeal |
Taking a child’s case to a higher Court to review the trial Court’s decision. |
Balanced and Restorative Justice (BARJ) |
The approach that believes justice is best served when the community, the victim and the offender (child who commits an offense) receive balanced attention. |
Bench Warrant |
A Court order allowing the police or a juvenile probation officer to physically take a child into custody and bring the child before the judge. |
Community Protection | Keeping the community safe from harm. |
Community Service | Volunteer work that a child does to benefit the community and to repair harm she/he has caused. |
Competency Development | Teaching skills that allow youth to be productive members of the community. |
Court Order | A document signed by a judge, directing somebody to do something. Anything that is written in the order must be abided by. |
Detention Center | A locked facility where children are temporarily housed. |
Disposition Hearing |
If the judge finds a child guilty of committing a crime, a disposition hearing is held to decide what services the child will be Court-ordered to complete (such as probation supervision, community service hours, counseling, and/or commitment to a residential treatment facility). |
Diversion Program |
A program that diverts children from going to Court. |
Expungement | The process of legally destroying criminal records. |
Felony | A crime, typically one involving violence, regarded as more serious than a misdemeanor. |
Misdemeanor |
A criminal offense that is less serious than a felony. |
Restitution |
Financial compensation that may be ordered by the court to compensate a victim for their losses and to repair the harm caused. Review Hearing – A Court hearing that is held to review a child’s progress. |
Sanctions |
Consequences that are imposed on children when they break the rules of probation. These consequences may include community service, electronic monitoring, increased probation supervision and/or curfew restrictions. |
Subpoena | A Court order requiring a person to appear in Court at a certain date and time. |
Victim Impact Statement | A written form that a victim has a right to complete and have presented to the Court explaining the emotional and financial impact a child’s crime has had on them. |
Violation of Probation | When a child under probation either commits an illegal act or violates other conditions or rules laid out by the Court the Court can respond with sanctions. |
Youth Level of Service Inventory (YLS) | A research-based assessment tool used by the probation office to objectively determine a child’s risk of reoffending and the level of needed intervention. |