Chapter 16 Vocab

Question 1

Parens Patriae

Answer 1

Latin for “parent of the community”; the doctrine that allows the government to take care of minors and others who cannot legally take care of themselves.

Question 2

Delinquent Offender

Answer 2

Youths who have committed acts that would be crimes if committed by adults under federal, state, or local law.

Question 3

Status Offender

Answer 3

Youths who have committed acts that would not be crimes if committed by adults. Like, running away from home, skipping school, and drinking alcohol.

Question 4

Neglected

Answer 4

the failure of a parent or guardian to properly feed, clothe, shelter, educate, or tend to the medical needs of a child.

Question 5

Abused Children

Answer 5

Minors who have been sexually, emotionally, or physically mistreated.

Question 6

Juvenile Waiver

Answer 6

Allows juvenile court judges to waive juveniles to adult court (after a hearing) for prosecution.

Question 7

Statutory Exclusion

Answer 7

Requires certain offences committed by juveniles to be prosecuted in adult court.

Question 8

Direct File

Answer 8

Gives prosecutors discretion to file charges against juveniles in adult court.

Question 9

Intake

Answer 9

Informal process by which court officials or social workers decide if a complaint against a juvenile court.

Question 10

Youth Court

Answer 10

A court proceeding for sentencing minors who have taken responsibility for their actions. The system aims to involve the community directly and to teach the young offenders the impact of their acts.

Question 11

Restorative Justice

Answer 11

A concept in criminal justice that emphasizes reparation to the victim or the affected members of the community by the offender, as by cash payment or by community service.

Question 12

Initial Hearing

Answer 12

A preliminary examination of the validity of a youth’s arrest, during which the state must prove that an offense was committed and that there is reasonable cause to believe the accused youth committed it. Decisions are made about further detention and legal representation, and a date is set for a hearing on the facts.

Question 13

Preventive Detention

Answer 13

Holding a person against his or her will without bail until trial because of the likelihood that the individual will commit another crime.

Question 14

Adjudicatory hearing

Answer 14

fact-finding hearing; to determine the facts of a case.

Question 15

Disposition

Answer 15

The final sentence or result of a case.

Question 16

Aftercare

Answer 16

Supervision by a parole officer who counsels the juvenile on education, jobs, vocational training, or other issues.

Question 17

Expunged

Answer 17

Juvenile records are destroyed