Arizona Juvenile Court Process

Juvenile delinquency cases in Arizona are usually handled in superior court although certain misdemeanor offenses and traffic violations can be handled in a justice or municipal court.

Typically the following hearings apply to juvenile delinquency cases in the superior courts.

Advisory Hearing

The very first hearing in a juvenile delinquency case.
Juvenile is advised of his rights.
Juvenile enters an admission (guilty) or a denial (not guilty).
Release conditions are set. The juvenile may be detained or released to his parents.
Date of the next hearing is set.

Pre-Adjudication Conference

Status conference to update court on status of case.
Usually, juvenile enters into some type of plea agreement or case is set for trial.
There can be multiple Pre-Adjudication Conferences before the case is set for trial or plea entered.

Detention Review Hearing

Hearing to determine if in-custody juvenile should remain in custody.
If release to home is not appropriate, alternatives to detention are considered (e.g.. therapeutic group home, detention alternative program, etc.)

Oral Arguments and Evidentiary Hearings

Hearing to provide testimony and legal arguments for legal motion.
Witnesses may testify
Attorneys will present their arguments to the court
Court may rule (decide) on legal issues

Adjudication Hearing

Juvenile court equivalent of a trial.
State has burden of proof.
State must prove juvenile committed crime beyond a reasonable doubt.
No jury in juvenile court. Judge is trier of fact.

Disposition Hearing

Juvenile court equivalent of sentencing.
Judge decides penalty for offense.

Restitution Hearing

Hearing to determine if crime victim should receive reimbursement money from the juvenile.
Victim only allowed actual out-of-pocket loss.
Juvenile's parents can be ordered to pay up to $10,000.