juvenile justice court
Juvenile Justice Definitions
Investigation Process: It is very important for a victim or a witness to report a crime to the police. Once a crime has been reported, the police department is
responsible for investigating the report. The juvenile investigation process allows a police officer to take one of the following actions:
• Station adjustment and release
• Release the minor to his/her parents and refer the case to Juvenile Intake and the State’s Attorney’s Office for further review to determine if the
filing of a delinquent petition is necessary
• If the officer believes that there is an urgent necessity to keep the minor in custody, the officer will deliver him/her to the Hulse Detention Center.
• Any other appropriate action, such as a branch court citation for local ordinance violations
Confidentiality/Closed Courtroom: Confidentiality of juvenile court records/proceedings are limited to: the minor, his/her parents, guardian and counsel,
judges, prosecutors, probation officers, and other juvenile court personnel.
A minor who is the victim in a juvenile proceeding shall be provided the same confidentiality regarding disclosure of identity as the minor charged.
While information contained in juvenile court is confidential and may not be otherwise disclosed, victims and their attorneys may have access to the name
and address of the minor and information pertaining to the case.
Due to the confidential nature of court proceedings, court hearings are closed to the general public, however, members of the media are allowed to attend.
Delinquent Minor: Any minor who, prior to his or her 18th birthday, violates or attempts to violate any federal or state law or county or municipal ordinance
Assistant State’s Attorney: An attorney who represents the People of the State of Illinois
Public Defender: A court-appointed attorney for a minor who cannot afford a private attorney
Defense Attorney: A private attorney who represents the minor
Felony: A criminal offense that is punishable by a sentence in a state prison of one year or more, or a term of conditional discharge or probation
Misdemeanor: A criminal offense that is punishable by a sentence of less than one year in a facility other than a state prison, or a term of supervision,
conditional discharge or probation
Station Adjustment: A juvenile police officer’s formal or informal handling of an alleged offender outside the juvenile court system
Juvenile Intake: Division of Juvenile Probation and Detention Services to which all referrals to the juvenile court system are first directed. The primary
responsibility of Juvenile Intake is to hold preliminary conferences with the parents and accused minor with the goal of handling suitable cases outside the
court system. Referrals are then passed on to the State’s Attorney’s Office for further review.
Detention: Housing of a minor who is alleged or adjudicated to be delinquent and who requires secure custody for the protection of the minor and the
community
Detention Hearing: A minor who is alleged to be delinquent and has been taken into temporary custody must be brought before a judge within 40 hours
for a hearing to determine if further detention is necessary. If the court finds that there is probable cause to believe that a minor is delinquent and that
detention is a matter of immediate and urgent necessity for the protection of the minor and the community, the judge will order that the minor remain in
detention. A judge does not set bond in juvenile cases.
Petition: The State’s Attorney’s Office may file allegations that the minor is a delinquent and set forth sufficient facts to have the minor appear in court. The
court may also, on its own motion, direct the filing through the State’s Attorney’s Office.
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juvenile justice court - Definitions