Juvenile Justice Terms & Definitions

Referral: A police report sent to the Linn County Juvenile Department from a reporting Law Enforcement Agency. We might say your child was "referred" to our department, which is to say we received a referral about your child/children.

Intake: The point when a Probation Officer meets with a youth and family to gather information in order to assist in the decision-making process.

Preliminary Hearing: The first court hearing in a case to give the youth formal notice of the charges and inform them of their rights, to determine whether the youth has an attorney and if necessary, to appoint one.

Adjudication: A court hearing where a Judge finds a youth responsible for committing a crime. The decision is either made because the youth admits to a charge, or is found responsible by a Judge through a court trial.

Probation: Court ordered conditions and expectations of behavior resulting from a youth being found responsible for violating the law.

Custody: When a youth is detained by a law enforcement agency because an officer has probable cause to believe a felony or misdemeanor crime has been committed, a statute has been violated, or the youth has a warrant for their arrest.

Detention: Temporary and safe custody of juveniles in a secure setting (under the age of 18) who require a restricted environment for their own protection and the community's protection while pending legal action.

Probation Officer: This person will determine how the youth's case should be handled, based on information contained in police reports, interviews with the youth and family, as well as other resources. The probation officer also supervises the conditions and terms of a youth's status with the Juvenile Department and makes on-going decision regarding treatment and/or service needs.

District Attorney: An attorney who is employed by the county, and who is responsible for representing the Juvenile Department and prosecuting people who are charged with a crime or crimes.

Felony: The most serious levels of crimes.

Misdemeanors: Levels of crimes that are less serious than felonies.

Status Offense: An offense that is only considered an offense because the person is a minor (I.E. smoking or staying out past curfew).