Course: Introduction
Similar to an adult trial, an adjudicatory hearing is a fact-finding process whereby the juvenile court determines if the allegations made in the petition were sustained.
In the context of juvenile justice, an adjudicatory hearing is a legal proceeding that serves as the equivalent of an adult trial. During an adjudicatory hearing, the juvenile court determines whether the allegations made in a petition filed against a juvenile are true and whether the juvenile should be adjudicated delinquent.
Similar to an adult trial, an adjudicatory hearing is a fact-finding process whereby the juvenile court determines if the allegations made in the petition were sustained. This process involves the presentation of evidence by both the prosecution and the defense, as well as witness testimony, cross-examination, and other elements of a traditional trial.
The purpose of an adjudicatory hearing is to determine whether the juvenile is delinquent, which is defined as having committed an act that would be considered a crime if committed by an adult. If the court determines that the juvenile is delinquent, it will issue an adjudication order, which is the juvenile justice equivalent of a guilty verdict in adult court.
The outcome of an adjudicatory hearing can have significant consequences for the juvenile involved. Depending on the severity of the offense and the circumstances of the case, the juvenile may be subject to a range of consequences, including placement in a juvenile detention center, probation, community service, counseling, and other forms of rehabilitation.
It is important to note that the juvenile justice system is designed to be different from the adult criminal justice system, with a greater emphasis on rehabilitation and the best interests of the child. In keeping with this goal, juveniles have certain legal rights during an adjudicatory hearing that are different from those of adult defendants.
For example, juveniles have the right to have an attorney appointed to them if they cannot afford one, and they have the right to have a parent or guardian present during the proceedings. In addition, the burden of proof is typically lower in juvenile court than in adult court, and the judge is responsible for determining whether the juvenile is delinquent rather than a jury.
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Last Modified: 04/15/2023