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The Terminology Of California’s Juvenile Criminal Justice System
Right within the state of California, there are, to put it very simply, two major criminal justice systems: the adult criminal justice system and the juvenile criminal justice system.
Going over the terminology that underlies California’s juvenile criminal justice system and the ways it differs from the adult criminal justice system while speaking with a California juvenile criminal defense attorney at the Law Office of Katie Walsh will allow you and your child to obtain a good legal outcome.
California’s Juvenile Justice System Belongs To The Civil Law System
Right before we can explain the terminology differences that underlie the state of California’s juvenile criminal justice system, we must clarify one key fact.
The state of California’s juvenile justice system is reliant upon the Juvenile Court System. The Juvenile Court System is part of California’s civil law system, as opposed to the criminal law system.
If your child is arrested and sent to a Juvenile Court, then, technically, they are not embroiled within the criminal law system but, rather, the civil law system.
Given these facts, the terminologies and rules that underlie juvenile justice differ from those that define the adult criminal justice system.
The Key Terminology Of California’s Juvenile Criminal Justice System
A variety of terms are used within California’s juvenile criminal justice system. Some of the most notable of these terms are as follows:
- Petitions.
- Dispositions.
- Sanctions.
- Adjudicated.
- Hearings
The definition of these terms can be found right below:
- A petition is, within the context of California’s juvenile justice system, equivalent to a criminal charge.
- A disposition is, within the context of California’s juvenile justice system, equivalent to a sentence.
- A sanction is, within the context of California’s juvenile justice system, a punishment/consequence.
- A case against a juvenile is, within the context of California’s juvenile justice system, adjudicated.
- A proceeding against a juvenile is, within the context of California’s juvenile justice system, a hearing.
Some clarifying examples of the terminology outlined above are as follows:
- If a juvenile was arrested for assault, and if the judge believes that they committed this assault, then they will “sustain the petition,” which serves as an act not unlike that of a criminal charge.
- If a juvenile is given a sentence that comprises community service and a fine, then this sentence is referred to as a “disposition” rather than as a sentence.
- If a juvenile is given specific punishments within their disposition, then these punishments are referred to as “sanctions,” as opposed to punishments or another related term.
- If a juvenile has a case against them relating to an alleged criminal act, then that case will be “adjudicated” as opposed to tried.
- If a juvenile goes to proceedings regarding this case, then these proceedings will be referred to as a “hearing.”
Being aware of this terminology and what it refers to will make it easier to understand the complexities of the juvenile criminal justice system and, in turn, to navigate these complexities.
Speak With An Orange County Juvenile Criminal Defense Lawyer
Even if you are aware of the terminology that underlies California’s juvenile criminal justice system, that is not enough.
You must speak with an Orange County juvenile criminal defense lawyer at the Law Office of Katie Walsh, who will help you obtain the best possible legal outcome for your child.