Admission
Similar to pleading guilty in an adult case. It’s when you say the facts in the petition are true.
Adjudication
Similar to a conviction in an adult case. It’s when a judge makes a decision that you broke the law. The judge makes the decision based on your admission or based on evidence presented at your trial.
Appeal
When you ask a different (higher) court to review the judge’s decision in your case, usually if you or your lawyer disagree with it and have a legal reason to challenge it.
Detention
Similar to jail in an adult case. It’s a locked facility where youth can be temporarily held in custody while they wait for their case to be decided. Sometimes youth also have to go after adjudication for short periods of time.
Disposition
Similar to a sentence in an adult case. It’s a consequence that the juvenile court judge gives you after you are adjudicated.
District Attorney
The lawyer that represents the state in criminal and juvenile delinquency cases. Sometimes they are called prosecutors.
Diversion
When your case is handled informally by the county juvenile department, with no court involved.
Expunge/Expungement/Expunction
When the court says all the records related to your case can be destroyed or “sealed.” Your case is no longer available as a public record and you are allowed to say your record never existed. This might happen after you are 18 and your case is closed.
Formal Accountability Agreement (FAA)
A voluntary contract where you agree to do certain things in exchange for the juvenile department not filing a petition against you in court.
Judge
The person who makes decisions on cases in court. In some larger counties, legal experts called referees may decide on your case. Decisions made by referees can be re-heard (a type of appeal) by a judge in the same court.
Juvenile Court Counselor (JCC)
Similar to probation officers in adult cases. These are people at the juvenile department who are assigned to your case. They supervise you while you are on probation to make sure you’re completing the right services and following the conditions of probation. Some counties call them juvenile probation officers.
Juvenile Defense Attorney
This person represents you in court. They give you and your family expert advice about your legal case. You or your family can hire a defense attorney, or the court will appoint one to you for free.
Juvenile Delinquency
When people younger than 18 commit a crime.
Juvenile Department
An office in your county that manages cases for youth who commit crimes. Juvenile court counselors work here.
Oregon Youth Authority (OYA)
State agency that supervises youth who commit more serious crimes or who need more services than the county can provide. OYA runs youth correctional facilities, similar to adult prisons. They also supervise youth on parole or probation in community settings.
Petition
The document the state files with the court to start a case. It lists the charges against you.
Probation
A set of rules or conditions that a judge requires you to follow after adjudication. A juvenile court counselor will supervise you to make sure you follow the rules or conditions.
Probation Violation
A new case filed in court when you are accused of not following the conditions of your probation.
Restitution
When a court orders you to pay money to a victim to cover the cost of damage or injury your actions caused.
Summons
When the court notifies you and your family that you must appear in court because charges have been filed against you.
Termination
When the court closes your juvenile case.