The phase of the juvenile process where evidence is heard and the judge decides the juvenile's status.
Stage in juvenile court proceedings in which a judge presides on behalf of the juvenile to determine if he or she actually committed the alleged offense. If the judge rejects the allegations, the juvenile is released. The judge may believe the allegations to be true but withhold adjudication on condition that the juvenile agree to enroll in a community program that the court feels will help resolve the problem.
the trial court proceeding in which it is determined whether the allegations of the petition are supported by legally admissible evidence.
In Family Court juvenile cases, similar to a trial for adults; determines whether or not the juvenile committed the offense.
In child welfare proceedings, the trial stage at which the court determines whether allegations of dependency, abuse or neglect concerning a child are sustained by the evidence and, if so, are legally sufficient to support state intervention into a family.
The adjudication hearing is a trial at which the court determines whether allegations of abuse or neglect concerning a child are sustained by the evidence presented, and if so, whether those allegations are legally sufficient to support state intervention on behalf of the child. If the petition seeking court intervention on behalf of the child is sustained, the court may proceed to the disposition stage of the case.
A hearing to determine whether the allegations are supported by the evidence beyond a reasonable doubt or by a preponderance of the evidence.