What is the name of the hearing in juvenile court that determines whether there is sufficient evidence to support the initial petition?

• A. Arraignment
• B. Adjudication
• C. Preliminary hearing
• D. Sentencing

Answer: (B)

In juvenile court, the hearing that tests whether the allegations in the petition are supported by the evidence is the adjudication hearing. This is the trial-like stage where the judge reviews the facts, listens to the presented evidence, and decides whether the youth is delinquent as charged. If the evidence supports the petition, the youth is labeled delinquent and moves on to disposition (the equivalent of sentencing). If not, the petition can be dismissed or modified.

Arraignment is mainly about informing the youth of the charges and entering a plea, not assessing evidence on the petition. A preliminary hearing, when used, is a pretrial step to determine probable cause to proceed with the petition. Sentencing occurs after adjudication to determine the youth’s disposition.