WHAT IS JUVENILE COURT?
In Maryland any person under the age of 18 is considered a juvenile. Because state law dictates a juvenile who commits a delinquent act is treated differently than an adult, juvenile cases are heard in the Juvenile Court system.

WHAT CASES ARE HEARD IN JUVENILE COURT?

The most common types of juvenile cases are:

Delinquency: A child is delinquent if (1) the child commits an act which would be a crime if the child were 18 years old and (2) the child requires guidance, treatment or rehabilitation.
Child in need of Assistance (CINA): A CINA case involves a child who has been physically, sexually or emotionally abused or neglected by a person responsible for the child's care.
Child in need of supervision (CINS): A CINS case involves a child who has
committed a "status offense such as truancy, violation of curfew laws, running away, habitual disobedience and ungovernable behavior.

ARE ALL JUVENILE OFFENSES SENT TO JUVENILE COURT?
Most juvenile cases are initially process by the local Juvenile Services Agency intake office. Here, an intake officer will decide whether to close a case, send the child to a diversion program for treatment and guidance, or refer the case to the State's Attorney's office.

ARE CASES INVOLVINGABUSED OR NEGLECTED CHILDREN SENT TO JUVENILE COURT?
Reports of child abuse or neglect are sent to the local Department of Social Services (DSS).

WHAT HAPPENS IN JUVENILE COURT?
For cases not considered emergencies, the first action in Juvenile Court is usually the Hearing on Counsel. At this hearing, a child and his/her parents appear before a Master (Judge) and is advised of the allegations in the petition and his/her rights to counsel.

WHAT HAPPENS AFrER THE ADJUDICATORY HEARING?
If the child is found to be delinquent, the Master (Judge) will hold a disposition hearing the same day as the adjudicatory hearing or the child may elect to have the disposition held on a different day not less then 5 days nor more then 30 days after the
adjudicatory hearing.

WHAT COULD HAPPEN AT THE DISPOSITION HEARING?
The juvenile can be placed on probation and/or under supervision while still living in his/her own home The juvenile can be placed in the custody or under the guardianship of the Juvenile Services Agency. The juvenile may be ordered to participate in rehabilitative services that are in the best interest of the child and family

WHAT IS A RESTITUTION HEARING?
A restitution may be a separate hearing held after the adjudicatory and disposition hearings. First, the state must prove that as a result of a delinquent act, the victim's personal property was stolen, damaged, or destroyed and/or medical, dental, hospital or funeral expenses were incurred by the victim. Then if the state proves its contentions, the Master (Judge) may enter a judgment of restitution against the juvenile and/or the juvenile's parents to pay an amount not to exceed $10,000. The restitution may be a condition of the juvenile's probation.