Juvenile
A person under the age of 18 who is involved in the legal system, whether as a delinquent, a child in need of protection, or a status offender.
A juvenile is a person under 18 who is involved in the court system. Minnesota has a separate juvenile court system that handles cases differently than adult court. Juvenile delinquency cases involve minors accused of acts that would be crimes if committed by an adult. The juvenile system focuses on rehabilitation rather than punishment, though serious offenses can result in a minor being tried as an adult.
Juvenile court in Minnesota also handles child protection cases (where a child has been abused or neglected) and status offenses (like truancy or running away, which are only offenses because of the person’s age). Juvenile court records are generally not public, and many juvenile offenses can be sealed or expunged to protect the young person’s future opportunities.
Why it matters: The juvenile justice system is designed to give young people a chance to learn from mistakes without the lifelong consequences that come with an adult criminal record. However, serious offenses can still carry significant consequences, including out-of-home placement and, in some cases, certification to adult court.
Example: A 15-year-old is caught shoplifting. Instead of being charged in adult court, the case goes to juvenile court, where the judge orders community service and a diversion program rather than a criminal conviction.
Juvenile court, cases involving minors accused of crimes, child protection cases, truancy cases