More Juvenile Court Legal Terms

As promised, here are some additional juvenile court legal terms. It’s been said that a person cannot have too much knowledge, and that applies to legal terminology, too. We’re not expecting you to be as well-versed as an attorney, after all, that’s why he or she attends all those additional years of law school. However, the more you know, the easier it will be for you to understand what all the legal professionals are talking about.

Order to Show Cause:

This is a court order requiring a person to appear before a judge and show why the judge shouldn’t take a particular course of action. For example, if your child was required to give a urine sample for a drug-related consequence and he didn’t give the sample, he would need to explain why he didn’t do what he was asked. Then, the judge would make his decision as to any consequences for your child.

Petition:

Paperwork filed to begin a matter in Juvenile Court.

Plea:

The defendant’s formal response to a criminal charge.

Plea in Abeyance:

When your plea is put on hold while you fulfill the terms required by the judge. When the terms are successfully completed, the guilty plea is withdrawn and the charges will be dismissed.

Plea Bargain:

When the defense and the prosecution reach an agreement. The judge and defendant must approve of any settling of a case.

Preliminary Inquiry:

An investigation and study conducted by the probation department upon receiving a referral to determine what further action should be taken.

Probation:

When a juvenile is released back into society or a treatment facility under a probation officer’s supervision. The juvenile must comply with certain terms and restrictions while on probation.

Referral:

This is a written report filed by a law enforcement officer or other person who has a reason to believe that a juvenile has committed a crime that requires attention by the Juvenile Court system.

Restitution:

The money or time ordered by a judge that a juvenile must give back to a victim.

Status Offense:

This is an offense committed by a juvenile (such as truancy or running away) that would not be a crime if committed by an adult.

As we mentioned last week, personal legal terminology knowledge will help you know what’s going on in court, but you’re still wise to have a Utah juvenile attorney assist you in navigating the judicial system. You can best support your child by letting an attorney handle your child’s case in court.