juvenile court

noun

: a court that has special jurisdiction over delinquent and dependent children usually up to the age of 18

Examples of juvenile court in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The teen is currently in the Youth Care Center and is held pending proceedings in juvenile court, deputies said. Kate Linderman, Kansas City Star, 25 June 2025 Charges were brought in juvenile court, but McCoy said they were eventually dismissed. Grace Zokovitch, Boston Herald, 11 June 2025 Charges were brought through the juvenile court system, but Superintendent Elizabeth McCoy said they were eventually dismissed. Grace Zokovitch, Boston Herald, 8 May 2025 Four of the 11 suspects are 18 years old and will face their charges in local justice courts that handle minor criminal matters, while the others will be subject to proceedings in juvenile courts, according to Fitzpatrick. Peter D'abrosca, FOXNews.com, 1 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for juvenile court

Word History

First Known Use

1899, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of juvenile court was in 1899

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Cite this Entry

“Juvenile court.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/juvenile%20court. Accessed 5 Jul. 2025.

Legal Definition

juvenile court

noun
: a court that has jurisdiction over juvenile delinquency proceedings or other civil proceedings involving minors or juveniles compare family court

More from Merriam-Webster on juvenile court

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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