Adjudicatory Hearing In Juvenile Court Cases

1. Adjudicatory Hearing – The Criminal Justice Today textbook defines the term adjudicatory hearing as “the fact-finding process by which the juvenile court determines whether there is sufficient evidence to sustain the allegations in a petition” (Schmalleger 510). These types of trials are designated for juveniles, which are similar in nature to adult trials, with notable exceptions. Similarities derive from the fact that the due process rights of children and adults are essentially the same. Essentially, it is a trial process in which a court determines whether or not the allegations contained in a petition are supported by evidence. It is also known as the legal process for resolving some legal dispute and a hearing may be held by a court
Dispositional Hearing – As stated by the textbook, a dispositional hearing is “the final stage in the processing of adjudicated juveniles in which a decision is made on the form of treatment or penalty that should be imposed on the child” (Schmalleger 510). Once a juvenile has been found delinquent, the judge will set a dispositional hearing, which is similar to an adult sentencing hearing. Dispositional hearings are used to decide what action the court should take relative to the juvenile. As in adult courts, the judge may order a presentence investigation before making a dispositional decision. Essentially, in a juvenile criminal case, the disposition hearing is the sentencing portion of trial. The purpose of a disposition hearing is to determine the most appropriate form of treatment or custody for juvenile offenders. In addition, juvenile proceedings are separate from regular adult criminal trials. Sentencing for juvenile crimes tends to focus more on rehabilitating the minor rather than punishing him or her. This type of outlook is reflected in the disposition hearing, which sometimes provides the juvenile with treatment, rehabilitation, or training as an alternative for jail time. In addition, if the court finds a juvenile to be a juvenile delinquent, the court shall hold a disposition hearing concerning the appropriate disposition no later than twenty court days after the juvenile delinquency hearing unless the court has ordered further study pursuant to subsection. After the disposition hearing, the court may suspend the findings of juvenile delinquency, place him on probation, or commit him to official detention which may include a term of juvenile delinquent supervision to follow detention. According to the US Legal.com website, dispositional hearings are “hearings held by the juvenile and family court to determine the legal resolution of cases after adjudication. Dispositional hearings may decide questions such as: where the children will live for the