Juvenile Delinquency
What it means
A Family Court process for youth ages 7 through 17 (with some recent reforms moving older teens out) accused of acts that would be crimes if committed by an adult. The case is filed by the presentment agency (often the local probation department or county attorney). The youth is called a respondent. JD cases focus on rehabilitation rather than punishment. The judge can order services, supervision, probation, placement in a residential program, or in serious cases secure detention. A JD adjudication is not a criminal conviction and is generally not on a criminal record. The 2017 Raise the Age law moved most 16- and 17-year-olds out of the adult criminal system into Family Court (or into a special part of criminal court for some serious offenses). Youth in JD cases have the right to a free court-appointed lawyer. Free legal help is also available through The Center for Youth and Legal Aid Society of Rochester.
When you might hear this
Juvenile delinquency is the New York Family Court process for youth ages 7 through 17 who are accused of acts that would be crimes if committed by an adult. JD cases are handled differently from adult criminal cases — the goal is rehabilitation, not punishment, and outcomes are not criminal convictions.
What to ask
- What is the youth being accused of, and which agency is presenting?
- What is the recommended disposition — services, probation, placement, or other?
- Will the youth be detained, and is a release with conditions possible?
- What does a JD adjudication mean for the youth's school and future?
- Where can free legal help with a JD case be found?