Adjudicated of Delinquent Conduct – An adjudication of delinquent conduct means that the allegations of delinquent conduct against a child have been found to be true by a juvenile judge or jury.

Adjudication Hearing – An adjudication hearing is a fact-finding trial in juvenile court to determine whether or not a child engaged in delinquent conduct or in conduct indicating a need for supervision.

Adult – In Texas, adult criminal responsibility refers to persons over the age of 17.

Arrest – In an adult case, the term arrest means to take physical custody or to apprehend a person by lawful authority to answer a criminal charge.

Bond/Bail – Bond refers to the written promise of a person accused of a crime (or a surety on his or her behalf) to secure release from custody under specified conditions designed to assure that person’s appearance in court when required. The term also refers to the amount of bond money posted as a financial condition of pretrial release. With only a few exceptions, juveniles do not have the right to bail, and a bond may not be posted in proceedings under the Family Code.

Certification – The process of transferring youth from the jurisdiction of the juvenile court to be tried on the adult criminal side.  In Texas, a juvenile who commits a capital or first-degree felony at the age of 14, or who commits any felony at age 15 or 16 may be certified by a juvenile court to stand trial in an adult court.

Child (Juvenile) – A child is a person who is at least 10 years old but not yet 17 at the time he or she is alleged to have committed delinquent conduct or conduct indicating a need for supervision. The terms “juvenile” and “youth” are often used interchangeably to refer to a person under the jurisdiction of the juvenile court who meets the legal definition of a child under Title 3 of the Family Code.

Child in Need of Supervision– A type of juvenile offender who has been adjudicated in juvenile court for a status offense or certain misdemeanor offenses classified as conduct indicating a need for supervision (CINS).

Community Supervision –   Community supervision (i.e., adult probation) refers to the dispositional option available after a criminal conviction in which the court imposes certain terms and conditions upon an adult defendant, including the requirement to participate in a continuum of programs and sanctions for a specific period of time.

Convicted/Conviction – A conviction is a judgment of guilt against a criminal defendant.

CPS/DFPS – Child Protective Service or the Department of Family and Protective Services.  Youth who are justice involved frequently have simultaneous involvement with CPS/DFPS.  When a youth is in custody of CPS/DFPS, and become justice involved, they are considered youth with dual system status.

Criminal – The term criminal is used to describe an adult defendant who has been a charged with and convicted in court of a criminal offense.

Defendant – In a criminal case, a defendant is the person accused of committing a criminal offense. In a civil case, the defendant refers to an individual or business against whom a lawsuit is filed.

Directive to Apprehend – A directive to apprehend is a type of warrant issued by the juvenile court if the court finds there is probable cause to take the child into custody under the provisions of the Family Code.

Discretionary – Transfer of youth made from the juvenile side to the adult side that are under the discretion of the judge. 

Disproportionality – Disproportionality occurs when a particular racial or cultural group is represented within a social system at a rate or percentage that is not proportionate to their representation in the general population.

Emerging Adult – A person, age 17 to 24, who is beyond the maximum age of jurisdictional control of the juvenile justice system and handled procedurally as an adult.

Emerging Adulthood – The phase of development between adolescence and adulthood which encompasses the transition from a child who is dependent on parents or guardians for supervision and guidance, as well as emotional and financial support, into a fully mature, independent adult who engages as a productive and healthy member of society.  Similar terminology: “Young adults,” “Transition Age Youth.”