Adjudication

Adjudication is where the court determines responsibility and sets the path forward. This page outlines common decision points, disposition options, and the data handoffs that matter for placement, education, and aftercare tracking.

What We Track

Timelines & Counsel: time to adjudication, continuances, and counsel appointment rates.
Plea vs. Trial: proportions, use of colloquy/advisement, and waiver patterns.
Disposition Options: diversion extensions, probation terms, restitution/service, treatment mandates, commitment thresholds.
Data Handoffs: orders and packets that inform placement providers, schools, and aftercare teams.
Equity & Access: disparities by race/ethnicity, disability, and rural vs. urban courts.

Typical Process Map

Adjudicatory Hearing: evidence and findings; plea acceptance or fact-finding.
Predisposition: assessments (risk/needs, MH/SUD), victim input, and reports.
Disposition: court orders (probation terms, conditions, placement, treatment).
Documentation & Handoff: share orders and education/health packets to providers, schools, and aftercare.

Disposition Options (Menu)

Community supervision: probation with conditions (school attendance, programming, curfew).
Services: MH/SUD treatment, mentoring, re-engagement in school, restorative agreements.
Residential/commitment: staff-secure/secure placement, step-down planning, aftercare/parole.
Financial/community obligations: restitution, service hours (with ability-to-pay considerations).

Methods & Notes

For rate calculations, we normalize by the population ages 12–17. Small-n cells are pooled across 2–3 years and annotated. When definitions or reporting systems change, we mark breaks in series.

Compare Across States

See how adjudication flows into placement and aftercare in the State Juvenile Justice Pipelines. For detention decision points before adjudication, visit Detention. For reentry planning after disposition, see Reentry & Aftercare.