If the burden of proof is not met at an adjudicatory hearing, what is the typical outcome?

If the burden of proof is not met at an adjudicatory hearing, what is the typical outcome?

• A. The case moves to disposition
• B. The case is referred to criminal court
• C. The case is dismissed
• D. The child is declared not delinquent and released

Answer: (C)

In juvenile court, the adjudicatory hearing decides whether the alleged delinquent act was proven by the required standard. If the evidence doesn’t meet that burden, there’s no finding of delinquency, so the case cannot move forward to disposition. The typical result is dismissal of the petition, ending the case. Since there’s no delinquency established, there’s nothing to adjudicate or impose in a disposition, and there’s no transfer to criminal court.

In juvenile court, the adjudicatory hearing decides whether the alleged delinquent act was proven by the required standard. If the evidence doesn’t meet that burden, there’s no finding of delinquency, so the case cannot move forward to disposition. The typical result is dismissal of the petition, ending the case. Since there’s no delinquency established, there’s nothing to adjudicate or impose in a disposition, and there’s no transfer to criminal court.