Juvenile Law and Delinquency

Study Notes

A juvenile refers to a person below 18 years of age or those above but are unable to fully take care of themselves due to physical or mental disability.

It refers to an anti-social act or behavior of a minor that deviates from the normal pattern of rules and regulations, custom, and culture.
It involves youth behavior that is against the norms and regulations of society.
It is an act or omission that brings a minor to court, where it is judged whether such an act is a violation of a law.

It refers to the segment of the criminal justice system, including law enforcement, courts, and correctional agencies designed to treat youthful offenders.

Delinquent: one whose behavior has brought a minor or child in repeated conflict with the law.
Status Offense: an act or omission which, if committed by an adult, may not be considered punishable, but which are generally wrong when committed by a minor.
Emancipation: freedom from parental authority upon reaching the age of majority.
Anti-Social Behavior: characterized by disobedience to, or disrespect for authorities.
Parens Patriae (Father of the Country): the assumption of the state of the role of the guardian over children whose parents are deemed incapable.

Community-Based Programs: programs provided in community settings developed for purposes of intervention and diversion, as well as rehabilitation of the child in conflict with the law.
Court: refers to family court, or in places where no family court, any regional trial court.
Diversion: an alternative, child-appropriate process of determining the responsibility and treatment of a child in conflict with the law.
Intervention: a series of activities designed to address issues that caused the child to commit an offense.
Restorative Justice: a principle that requires a process of resolving conflict with the maximum involvement of the victim, offender, and the community.

Deprivation of Liberty: any form of detention or imprisonment, or the placement of a child in conflict with the law in a public or private setting from which the child is not permitted to leave at will.
Discernment: the ability to determine what is right or wrong and capable of understanding the consequence of one's action.
Initial Contact with the Child: refers to apprehension or taking into custody of a child in conflict with the law by law enforcement officers or private citizens.
Juvenile Justice and Welfare System: a system dealing with children at risk and children in conflict with the law, which provides child-appropriate proceedings including programs and services for prevention, diversion, rehabilitation, reintegration, and aftercare.
Youth Detention Home: a 24-hour child-caring institution managed by accredited local government units (LGUs) and licensed and/or accredited non-government organizations.