Final exam preparation terms

Question 1

certification

Answer 1

The official recognition that a juvenile court or authority has determined that a youth meets the criteria to be tried as an adult in criminal court, typically for serious offenses.

Question 2

jurisdiction

Answer 2

A court’s authority to hear a case based on location or subject matter.

Question 3

blended sentence

Answer 3

A sentence that combines both juvenile and adult penalties, often used for serious offenses.

Question 4

concurrent jurisdiction

Answer 4

When two or more courts have the authority to hear the same case.

Question 5

contempt of court

Answer 5

Disrespecting or disobeying a court order, disrupting court proceedings, or showing disrespect to legal authority.

Question 6

demand waiver

Answer 6

When a juvenile requests or “demands” to be tried in adult court instead of juvenile court.

Question 7

direct file waiver

Answer 7

When a prosecutor files charges directly in adult court, bypassing juvenile court, typically for serious offenses.

Question 8

judicial waiver

Answer 8

When a juvenile court judge decides to transfer a case to adult court for trial, typically based on the severity of the offense or the juvenile’s age.

Question 9

statutory waiver

Answer 9

When a law automatically transfers certain juvenile cases to adult court based on the offense, age, or other criteria, without judicial discretion.

Question 10

reverse waiver

Answer 10

When an adult court sends a case back to juvenile court for adjudication, typically if the court determines the juvenile is better suited for the juvenile system.

Question 11

classification

Answer 11

The process of assessing a juvenile’s needs, risks, and the appropriate level of supervision or treatment within the juvenile justice system.

Question 12

risk assessment (components)

Answer 12

A process used to evaluate a juvenile’s likelihood of reoffending

Question 13

false positives/ negatives

Answer 13

False positive: When a risk assessment incorrectly identifies a juvenile as high risk (when they are not), leading to unnecessary interventions or harsher consequences.
False negative: When a risk assessment incorrectly identifies a juvenile as low risk (when they are actually high risk), potentially failing to provide needed supervision or intervention.

Question 14

mitigating/ aggravating factors

Answer 14

Mitigating factors: Circumstances that reduce the severity or culpability of a juvenile’s offense, such as a troubled background, lack of prior offenses, or mental health issues.

Aggravating factors: Circumstances that increase the severity of a juvenile’s offense, such as the use of violence, prior criminal history, or the vulnerability of the victim.

Question 15

get tough movement

Answer 15

A policy approach in the juvenile justice system focused on harsher penalties, stricter laws, and trying juveniles as adults, aiming to deter crime through increased punishment rather than rehabilitation.

Question 16

diversion

Answer 16

Redirecting a juvenile away from formal court processes to alternative programs.

Question 17

dysfunctions of diversions

Answer 17

Problems like unequal access, lack of resources, or the potential for reoffending when juveniles don’t receive appropriate treatment or supervision.

Question 18

nominal punishment

Answer 18

A minimal or symbolic penalty, often used in juvenile cases, that is intended to acknowledge the offense without imposing harsh consequences.

Question 19

teen courts

Answer 19

Peer-led courts where teenagers serve as jurors, judges, or attorneys to handle cases involving other juveniles, typically for minor offenses, focusing on rehabilitation rather than punishment.

Question 20

first time offenders

Answer 20

Juveniles who have committed an offense for the first time, often eligible for diversion or more lenient treatment in the justice system.

Question 21

chronic offenders

Answer 21

Juveniles who repeatedly commit offenses, often showing a pattern of persistent criminal behavior over time.

Question 22

automatic transfer

Answer 22

A legal process where certain juvenile cases are automatically moved to adult court based on the offense or the juvenile’s age, without judicial discretion.

Question 23

ISP

Answer 23

(Intensive Supervision Program): A probation program that provides high levels of monitoring and support for juveniles, typically involving frequent check-ins, curfews, and close supervision to prevent reoffending.

Question 24

home confinement

Answer 24

A form of detention where a juvenile is restricted to their home instead of a facility, often with electronic monitoring, as a condition of probation or sentence.

Question 25

foster care

Answer 25

A system in which children, including juveniles involved in the justice system, are placed in temporary homes with licensed caregivers when their own home is unsafe or unsuitable.

Question 26

unconditional diversion

Answer 26

A program that redirects juveniles from court processing without requiring any conditions, such as counseling or supervision, typically for minor offenses.

Question 27

wilderness programs

Answer 27

Outdoor-based rehabilitation programs that use activities like hiking, camping, and teamwork to help juveniles develop responsibility, self-discipline, and problem-solving skills.

Question 28

boot camps

Answer 28

Military-style programs for juvenile offenders that focus on discipline, physical activity, and structure, aiming to reduce recidivism through harsh, regimented environments.

Question 29

treatment model

Answer 29

A rehabilitation-focused approach addressing the causes of delinquent behavior through therapy and support.

Question 30

rehabilitation model

Answer 30

A juvenile justice approach focused on reforming offenders through treatment, education, and therapy to reintegrate them into society.

Question 31

military model

Answer 31

A structured, discipline-based approach to juvenile rehabilitation, often involving physical training, strict rules, and hierarchy to instill responsibility and obedience.

Question 32

balanced approach

Answer 32

A juvenile justice strategy that seeks to balance accountability, rehabilitation, and community protection, focusing on both the offender's needs and the victim's rights.

Question 33

Case supervision planning

Answer 33

The process of developing a tailored plan for monitoring and supporting a juvenile offender, outlining goals, interventions, and resources to promote rehabilitation and reduce recidivism.

Question 34

probation

Answer 34

A court-ordered period of supervision in the community, allowing a juvenile to avoid incarceration while complying with certain conditions, like curfews or counseling.

Question 35

parole revocation

Answer 35

The termination of a juvenile's parole, resulting in their return to prison or juvenile detention, due to a violation of parole conditions.

Question 36

intermediate punishment

Answer 36

A type of sentence that is more severe than probation but less harsh than incarceration, such as electronic monitoring, community service, or intensive supervision.

Question 37

recidivism

Answer 37

The tendency of a juvenile or adult to reoffend or relapse into criminal behavior after receiving punishment or treatment.

Question 38

restitution

Answer 38

Compensation paid by a juvenile offender to the victim for losses or damages caused by the crime.

Question 39

electronic monitoring

Answer 39

A system that uses devices like ankle bracelets to track a juvenile’s location and ensure compliance with curfews or restrictions during probation or home confinement.

Question 40

standard probation

Answer 40

A form of probation with basic conditions, such as regular check-ins, avoiding further criminal activity, and adhering to curfew, without intensive supervision or treatment requirements.

Question 41

needs assessment

Answer 41

The process of identifying a juvenile’s specific needs (e.g., education, mental health, substance abuse) to determine appropriate interventions and services.

Question 42

predisposition

Answer 42

The stage in juvenile court proceedings where a judge determines the appropriate treatment or disposition for a juvenile, based on factors like the offense, background, and needs.

Question 43

prediction

Answer 43

The process of forecasting a juvenile's future behavior or risk of reoffending, often based on assessments or risk factors.

Question 44

flat time

Answer 44

A fixed, non-negotiable period of detention or incarceration that a juvenile must serve, without the possibility of early release or modification.