What is an adjudicatory hearing?
An adjudicatory hearing is like a trial to determine whether the juvenile committed the offense(s) with which he or she is charged. The judge will hear evidence from witnesses presented by the prosecution and the defense attorney who is representing the juvenile. After listening to this testimony the judge must decide whether the prosecution has proven beyond a reasonable doubt that the juvenile committed the acts with which he is charged. If, at that hearing, the judge decides that the child committed the act(s), he or she must also decide whether the child is in need of treatment, supervision, or rehabilitation.29 This decision must be made within 20 days if the child is in detention. If the judge decides that the child is not in need of treatment, supervision, or rehabilitation the proceedings will be dismissed.30 However, children who have been adjudicated delinquent for acts classified as felonies are presumed to be in need of treatment, supervision, or rehabilitation.
