Disposition: How Cases are Resolved

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In juvenile court, after a case has been proven or a plea has been taken, the case is resolved with a disposition. The juvenile court judge may order a range of programming, such as counseling, chemical dependency treatment, and other options as a part of the disposition. The disposition may also include restitution and consequences to prevent the young person from repeating the criminal behavior. Even when a young person is given a consequence, the goal is still to rehabilitate the child as well as protect public safety.

In juvenile court, the young person accused of violating the law is not called a defendant, but a respondent. Also, the respondent is not 'convicted' of a crime, but may be 'adjudicated delinquent.'

Common consequences and programming ordered in a juvenile case are:

  • Probation supervision.
  • Restitution.
  • Community service.
  • Counseling.
  • House arrest.
  • Chemical dependency treatment.
  • Loss of driver’s license.
  • Placement in a juvenile facility.