What can be a result of a juvenile's adjudication?

A juvenile's adjudication refers to the legal process through which a juvenile court determines whether a minor has committed an offense or is considered beyond parental control (unruly). If the court finds that the juvenile has indeed committed an act that qualifies as delinquent behavior, it can lead to the designation of the juvenile as either unruly or delinquent. This can result in the imposition of various forms of supervision, treatment, or rehabilitation instead of traditional punishment methods used in adult courts.

This outcome is crucial because it reflects the youth justice system's focus on rehabilitation over punishment, recognizing the developmental differences between minors and adults. Being declared unruly or delinquent can lead to structured interventions aimed at addressing the underlying issues contributing to the juvenile's behavior, providing guidance and support rather than just punitive measures.

Other potential results like dismissal of charges or acquittal are not typically outcomes of adjudication in juvenile court because the court is focused on whether the behavior occurred rather than determining innocence or guilt in the traditional sense. Transfer to adult court may occur under certain circumstances but is not an automatic result of a juvenile adjudication itself; it involves a separate legal process to evaluate whether the juvenile should be tried as an adult.