Commonly Used terms 

Below is a list of common terms used in Pennsylvania’s juvenile justice system which may be used regarding your child.  

Accountability – When a crime is committed, a child has a responsibility for the harm caused and takes action to repair the harm and restore the victim’s and community’s losses to their pre-crime state, if possible.  

Adjudication Hearing – A hearing in juvenile Court where the District Attorney/Prosecutor, as a representative of the Commonwealth, presents their case to prove that a child committed the offense he/she has been charged with.  

Adjudication of Delinquency – When a child is found by the Court to have broken the law and is in need of treatment, supervision or rehabilitation.  

Appeal – Taking a child’s case to a higher Court to review the trial Court’s decision.  

Assessment – A professional evaluation of a child’s level of risk and needs.  

Balanced and Restorative Justice (BARJ) – The approach that believes justice is best served when the community, the victim and the offender (child who commits an offense) receive balanced attention.  

Bench Warrant – A Court order allowing the police or a juvenile probation officer to physically take a child into custody and bring the child before the judge.  

Case Plan - a plan developed by the juvenile probation officer in partnership with the child and their family to develop goals and expectations for the child, and the necessary steps to achieve those goals. 

Community Service – Volunteer work that a child does to benefit the community and to repair harm she/he has caused.  

Consent Decree – A disposition that puts a youth on supervision for 6 months, with the ability to extend for an additional 6 months. 

Court Order – A document signed by a judge, directing somebody to do something. Anything that is written in the order must be abided by. 

Detention Center – A locked facility where children are temporarily housed.  

Disposition Hearing – If the judge finds a child guilty of committing a crime, a disposition hearing is held to decide what services the child will be Court-ordered to complete (such as probation supervision, community service hours, counseling, and/or commitment to a residential treatment facility).  

Diversion Program – A program that diverts children from going to Court. Check with your child’s juvenile probation officer to find out what programs are available in your community.  

Expungement – When a juvenile Court record is legally erased as though it never existed. Felony – The most serious criminal offense.  

Felony - The highest level of offense such as aggravated assault, rape, or theft of a vehicle processed by the juvenile court. 

Graduated Responses - A graduated response system is a guide for probation officers to use incentives, or rewards, to promote positive behavior, and sanctions to deter negative behavior. 

Hearing Officer - Juvenile Court Hearing Officers are attorneys who are appointed to serve in juvenile court to conduct certain hearings. A judge must review and approve the hearing officer’s decisions and recommendations. 

Incentives - A response to positive behavior. Something positive can be given (e.g. verbal praise) or something considered by the youth to be negative can be taken away (e.g. easing curfew restrictions). 

Misdemeanor – A mid-level offense such as simple assault or a minor theft processed by the juvenile court.  

Petition - A petition is a formal list of charges filed with the juvenile court. 

Probable Cause – A strong reason to believe a child committed the offense of which he or she is accused.  

Restitution – Children are held accountable for the financial losses they have caused to the victims of their crimes and the Court may order your child to pay the victims for their losses.  

Review Hearing – A Court hearing that is held to review a child’s progress.  

Revocation of Probation – When a child under probation supervision either commits an illegal act or violates other conditions or rules laid out by the Court in the probation agreement, and the Court can respond with sanctions.  

Sanctions – Consequences that are imposed on children when they break the rules of their probation. This may include community service, electronic monitoring, increased probation supervision and/or curfew restrictions.  

Status Offense – A legal term used to describe an offense committed by a child that would not be considered a crime if an adult had committed the same act, such as running away or truancy, which are not delinquent acts.  

Subpoena – A Court order requiring a person to appear in Court at a certain date and time.  

Summary - The lowest level of offense, usually processed by the Magisterial District Judge. 

Victim Impact Statement – A written form that a victim has a right to complete and have presented to the Court explaining the emotional and financial impact a child’s crime has had on them.  

Youth Level of Service Inventory (YLS) – A research-based assessment tool designed to determine a child’s risk to reoffend and needed services through juvenile probation. The YLS helps the probation officer objectively determine a child’s risk of re-offending and the level of needed intervention, based upon the child’s history, strengths, and social supports. Use of the YLS increases appropriate planning and placement decisions.