Glossary of Juvenile Justice Terms

The juvenile justice equivalent of a trial where a judge determines whether the youth committed the alleged offense. If adjudicated, the youth proceeds to disposition.

Source: codes.findlaw.com

A temporary detainment of a youth for non-criminal reasons, often used when waiting for placement, mental health assessment, or transport to another jurisdiction.

Source: full-research.txt — Missouri intake protocols

Post-custody support services that assist youth in transitioning back into the community. Often includes counseling, educational planning, mentoring, and probation-like supervision to reduce recidivism.

An early assessment that identifies signs of mental illness, trauma, or substance use in youth at intake. Often a trigger for clinical referral or follow-up services.

Source: full-research.txt — Arkansas and Louisiana intake protocols

The formal end of a youth's supervision, custody, or service plan, following successful completion of court-ordered conditions.

Source: full-research.txt — supervision and aftercare policy references

A structured outline listing needs identified at intake (e.g., trauma, education gaps, substance use) alongside assigned services. Common in Louisiana and Missouri models.

A service coordinator who manages referrals, contacts families, and ensures progress reports are submitted for court and agency review.

Source: full-research.txt — service coordination and diversion pathways

A judge assigned to a juvenile or family circuit who presides over detention, adjudication, and disposition hearings.

Source: full-research.txt — referenced across court flow diagrams

A decision made by a mental health professional to override the result of a risk tool based on clinical observations, diagnosis, or urgent concern.

Source: full-research.txt — SAVRY and YLS/CMI override guidance

Also known as probation, this allows the youth to remain in the community under the guidance of an officer, while meeting court-ordered conditions such as therapy, check-ins, or school attendance.

Source: tjjd.texas.gov, oksenate.gov

A non-custodial program such as mentoring, counseling, or job training, designed to serve as an alternative to detention or residential placement.

Source: full-research.txt — diversion planning documents

A point person who connects youth and families to local service providers and ensures compliance with treatment or mentoring programs.

Source: full-research.txt — referenced in post-intake coordination plans

An agreement allowing a youth to avoid adjudication by completing conditions set by the court, such as community service or counseling.

Source: full-research.txt — Missouri and national juvenile court resources

Mandated services such as substance abuse counseling, trauma-informed therapy, or educational programs. Treatment is tailored to the youth’s risk profile and may be a condition of probation or a disposition alternative.

Source: humanservices.arkansas.gov, ojj.la.gov

Immediate intervention protocols for youth in acute distress, such as those exhibiting suicidal ideation or aggressive behavior. May involve mobile response teams, crisis stabilization units, or emergency mental health evaluations.

An urgent referral to a licensed provider for youth in acute psychological distress, often used in lieu of detention following an intake mental health flag.

Source: full-research.txt — intake response pathways

A cooperative model between juvenile justice, education, mental health, and community organizations to provide holistic support to justice-involved youth.

Source: full-research.txt — Missouri and Louisiana service coordination language

Department of Children and Family Services — handles child welfare, foster care, and cross-over youth connected to both dependency and delinquency systems.

Source: full-research.txt — Louisiana and Arkansas context

The progressive sequence of risk factors, unmet needs, and environmental triggers that can contribute to repeated juvenile offenses. Used in structured decision-making to inform diversion vs. commitment.

An offense committed by a youth that would be considered a crime if committed by an adult, forming the legal basis for court referral or adjudication.

Source: full-research.txt — juvenile offense definitions

A court proceeding (usually within 24–72 hours of arrest) where a judge reviews whether a youth should remain in detention or be released. Often includes a probable cause review and recommendation for assessments.

Source: childrens.nebraska.gov

The court's final decision after adjudication, which may include probation, commitment, diversion, or dismissal.

Source: full-research.txt — decision trees and outcome matrices

The final stage of juvenile court proceedings where the judge decides the outcome for an adjudicated youth—probation, diversion, residential treatment, or commitment.

Source: law.justia.com, humanservices.arkansas.gov

A structured grid that matches a youth’s risk level and offense severity to recommended interventions or placement levels, often used to guide fair and consistent decisions.

Source: full-research.txt — Missouri and Texas commitment frameworks

Policy-based conditions that determine whether a youth qualifies for informal handling rather than formal court processing, often based on risk level, offense type, or prior history.

Source: full-research.txt — eligibility matrices from multiple states

A non-judicial resolution for youth who commit low-level offenses, allowing them to avoid formal court proceedings by fulfilling agreed-upon conditions such as counseling, community service, or restitution. Completion typically results in case dismissal and no juvenile record.

Diagnostic standards from the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, used by clinicians to assess and diagnose behavioral health issues in youth.

Source: full-research.txt — clinical override criteria and mental health screening

Department of Youth Services — the state agency responsible for oversight, custody, and rehabilitation of adjudicated youth.

Source: full-research.txt — referenced across all state frameworks

The process of returning a youth to their home school or another educational setting after detention or placement. States like Louisiana mandate that schools re-enroll adjudicated youth without delay.

A community-based program offering structured after-school supervision for court-involved youth as an alternative to detention.

Source: ojj.la.gov

A structured method for including families in the assessment, planning, and service delivery for justice-involved youth.

Source: full-research.txt — best practices across multiple state DYS programs

A collaborative meeting model where probation, family, service providers, and sometimes judges jointly plan a youth’s case strategy. Emphasized in Tennessee and Missouri as part of family-centered approaches.

A diversion program for youth with minor offenses, allowing them to avoid formal charges by completing counseling or community service.

Source: versustexas.com

A structured agreement initiated when informal efforts aren’t viable. Often includes documentation, supervision, and may involve the prosecutor. Serves as a bridge between informal handling and adjudication.

Source: ojj.la.gov

A structured discipline framework where sanctions escalate in response to repeated violations, promoting consistency while avoiding harsh penalties for minor infractions. Often includes interventions like extra supervision, counseling, or short-term detention.

A tiered set of consequences applied progressively in response to a youth’s behavior. Encourages proportional responses, from verbal warnings to increased supervision or detention.

Source: childrens.nebraska.gov

An internal note during intake or assessment indicating that a youth has an active Individualized Education Program (IEP) for special education needs.

Source: full-research.txt — intake form fields across multiple states

A formal plan developed for students with disabilities under IDEA, outlining specific educational goals and the services the school will provide. Juvenile facilities must ensure continued provision of these services while in custody and upon reentry.

A non-court resolution agreement involving the youth, family, and intake officer. Conditions may include counseling, school attendance, or community service. Used in lieu of formal court processing.

Source: codes.findlaw.com, mdhs.ms.gov

A structured process to evaluate whether a youth should be held in secure detention pending a court hearing. Often includes a validated risk assessment to guide the decision.

Source: full-research.txt — risk tool implementation guides

A designated staff person who oversees initial screening and routing decisions at the point of youth system entry.

Source: full-research.txt — Arkansas and Missouri intake process notes

The final administrative recommendation made at the intake stage — such as dismissal, diversion, formal court petition, or referral to services.

Source: full-research.txt — Arkansas DYS documentation

A designated juvenile justice official responsible for conducting the initial assessment of a youth's case, including gathering documentation, administering risk tools, and making recommendations for diversion, detention, or services.

Source: full-research.txt — cross-referenced from multiple state intake manuals

A compiled set of forms and assessments completed at the point of intake, including behavioral screenings, educational background, risk assessment scores, and legal history.

Source: full-research.txt — Arkansas and Missouri intake procedures

Juvenile Case Management System — Texas’s statewide database that connects juvenile probation departments and tracks cases through every stage.

Source: tjjd.texas.gov

Juvenile Detention Alternative Coordinator — supports implementation of detention reform models like JDAI and helps reduce unnecessary detention.

Source: full-research.txt — Missouri and Arkansas reform projects

Juvenile Detention Alternatives Initiative — a national model that promotes the reduction of secure detention through risk-based decision-making and community alternatives.

Source: full-research.txt — referenced in policy alignment sections

Juvenile Justice Alternative Education Program — an academic setting for students expelled from school, where they continue coursework during their suspension.

Source: codes.findlaw.com

Juvenile On-Line Tracking System — Oklahoma’s centralized database for managing juvenile records, from referral through release.

Source: www2.tulsacounty.org

Juvenile Probation Officer — supervises youth on probation, manages compliance, referrals, and court reporting.

Source: full-research.txt — used across intake and supervision sections

Programs in Texas and similar states that provide educational services to youth expelled for serious misbehavior. Operates separately from traditional schools but must meet full academic standards.

A term describing the uneven application of tools, diversion options, or procedures across counties or circuits within a single state.

Source: full-research.txt — policy variation across Arkansas and Missouri

A behavioral health check (often using tools like MAYSI-2) administered at intake to identify acute or chronic mental health needs and determine service referrals.

A standardized set of questions or tools used to assess a youth’s behavioral health needs during or shortly after intake.

Source: full-research.txt — intake packet references

A status used when a youth has been committed to a program but is awaiting available space or facility assignment.

Source: full-research.txt — intake notes on delays and capacity

A periodic evaluation of whether a youth’s residential or custodial placement remains appropriate. It assesses behavior, treatment progress, and risk factors to determine if the youth can be stepped down to a less restrictive setting.

A SCYM-specific rating of how verifiable a state’s juvenile justice practices are based on publicly available documentation.

Source: SCYM confidence chart methodology

Support, monitoring, or programming offered to youth prior to formal adjudication, often as part of a diversion strategy.

Source: full-research.txt — intake disposition and supervision models

Monitoring or programming applied to a youth before the court has issued a final legal disposition, often as an alternative to secure detention.

Source: full-research.txt — court procedural timelines

A comprehensive document compiled before disposition, outlining the youth's risk level, personal history, service needs, and recommended outcomes.

Source: full-research.txt — Arkansas and Louisiana court planning phases

The initial court appearance where charges are reviewed, detention is reassessed, and legal representation is established.

Source: full-research.txt — Arkansas and Texas judicial workflows

A legal determination, usually at the detention hearing, where a judge or officer evaluates whether there is sufficient evidence to continue holding the youth pending adjudication.

Source: full-research.txt — juvenile hearing procedures

Risk Assessment Instrument — a screening tool used at intake in many states to determine whether a youth should be detained or released.

Source: tjjd.texas.gov

Risk and Needs Assessment — a structured assessment used by Texas juvenile probation departments to guide supervision and service decisions.

Source: tjjd.texas.gov

The structured process of preparing a youth for return to the community, school, or family life after residential placement or detention.

Source: full-research.txt — Arkansas and Louisiana reentry frameworks

A forward-looking strategy prepared before a youth exits custody, detailing their next school, support services, vocational opportunities, and family coordination points.

The formal process of a youth being reported or transferred to juvenile justice authorities, often from schools, police, or child welfare.

Source: full-research.txt — intake entry flow models

A model of justice emphasizing accountability, restitution, and healing rather than punishment. In juvenile contexts, it often includes youth writing apologies, meeting with victims, or performing community service to repair harm.

A written explanation required when staff choose to override the score of a risk assessment tool, typically based on clinical judgment or safety concerns.

Source: full-research.txt — SAVRY override procedures

Structured Assessment of Violence Risk in Youth — a validated risk assessment tool used by juvenile justice systems to assess a youth’s likelihood of reoffending.

Source: humanservices.arkansas.gov

A structured process used at intake to determine the youth’s risk level, service needs, and eligibility for diversion. Common tools include the SAVRY, RAI, YASI, and MAYSI-2, which guide decisions about detention, diversion, or further processing.

Source: aecf.org, mdhs.ms.gov, humanservices.arkansas.gov

The structured path from intake assessment to service referral, including how data is used to activate mental health, educational, or family-based supports.

Source: full-research.txt — Arkansas and Texas DYS reform strategies

The logic model or process by which youth are referred to outside services after intake, such as counseling, educational support, or substance use treatment.

Source: full-research.txt — flowcharts in state reentry and diversion programs

A condition in which local diversion or community support programs have reached maximum capacity, limiting options for non-custodial placement.

Source: full-research.txt — Louisiana and Texas reports

A non-criminal act that is only considered an offense because of the youth's age—like truancy, curfew violation, or running away. These offenses are typically handled through diversion or counseling.

An offense that would not be considered a crime if committed by an adult, such as truancy, running away, or curfew violations.

Source: full-research.txt — policy documents on eligibility for diversion

A treatment provider trained to assess and assist youth with substance dependency or misuse, often assigned through diversion or as part of a probation plan.

A specialized screening that identifies the extent and pattern of drug or alcohol use in justice-involved youth, often used for treatment referral.

Source: full-research.txt — intake packet inclusion across multiple states

Tennessee Family and Child Tracking System — the state’s integrated database for child welfare and juvenile justice information.

Source: digitaltennessee.tnsos.gov

The number of days between referral and the court's final decision. Used as a key metric for system efficiency and fairness.

Source: full-research.txt — timeline visualization and performance tracking

The presence of accessible, official state documents related to youth justice operations — such as toolkits, intake manuals, or diversion policy guides.

Source: full-research.txt — heatmap documentation

An approach to juvenile services that recognizes the prevalence and impact of trauma in youths’ lives. Staff are trained to avoid re-traumatization and to support healing through safe, empathetic interactions.

An approach to youth screening that recognizes the prevalence and impact of trauma, aiming to reduce re-traumatization and tailor interventions accordingly.

Source: full-research.txt — Missouri and Texas DYS training guides

Credential awarded for completion of hands-on trade education. These certificates are often included in a youth’s reentry packet to assist with employment or school reintegration.

A holistic service delivery model that wraps youth and their families in a network of supports—mental health, education, housing, and legal—tailored to their specific needs and coordinated through a central case plan.

Youth Level of Service / Case Management Inventory — a widely used structured tool for assessing risk and needs in youth involved with the justice system.

Source: childrens.nebraska.gov

A nonprofit or local coalition that provides support, mentoring, legal aid, or policy advocacy on behalf of youth in or at risk of entering the justice system.

Source: full-research.txt — community partnerships section

A digital case tracking system used by juvenile probation officers in Texas and other states to log assessments, decisions, and case progress.

Source: full-research.txt — Texas JCMS reference

The supervised release of youth from state custody, often with requirements such as school attendance, therapy, or regular check-ins. Successful parole may reduce long-term confinement and promote community reintegration.