Glossary
A plain-language glossary of common juvenile-justice terms used by the Greene County Juvenile Office, from adjudication to status offense.
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Juvenile court uses terms that may be unfamiliar. Here are some you may encounter:
- Adjudication — the court's decision about whether the allegations in a case are true.
- Deputy Juvenile Officer (DJO) — a staff member who supervises cases and works with youth and families.
- Disposition — the court's decision about what should happen after adjudication, such as probation or services.
- Diversion / informal adjustment — resolving a matter without formal court action.
- Guardian ad litem — an attorney appointed to represent a child's best interests.
- Permanency — a safe, stable, lasting living arrangement for a child.
- Petition — a formal document that begins a case in juvenile court.
- Status offense — conduct that is only an offense because of a person's age, such as truancy.