A juvenile court—also known as a young offender’s court—is a special court that handles criminal proceedings against minors—usually a child age 17 or younger, but in some states a child age 16 or younger, or age 15 or younger. Juveniles who are accused of violating a criminal statute against theft, drug use, drug possession, assault, disorderly conduct, underage drinking, truancy (skipping school), and curfew violations are often handled by juvenile courts. Juvenile dependency cases in which the state seeks to remove minors from a troubled home environment (when they are abused or neglected by their parents or guardians) are also handled by juvenile courts. But more violent offenses such as aggravated assault, rape, murder, and robbery are less likely to be prosecuted in juvenile court.

Cases in juvenile court are civil proceedings rather than criminal proceedings. This is significant because in juvenile court minors are charged with committing a delinquent act (a civil matter) rather than being charged with a criminal act. In juvenile court, juveniles do not have all of the Constitutional rights as an adult in criminal court does (such as the right to a jury trial), but police, prosecutors, and court officials have broad discretion in handling the case and giving the juvenile a second chance.

In New Jersey, the juvenile court system handles cases involving individuals who are under the age of 18 at the time of the alleged offense. These courts deal with a range of delinquent acts, which are the equivalent of criminal offenses if committed by adults, including theft, drug offenses, assault, disorderly conduct, underage drinking, truancy, and curfew violations. Juvenile dependency matters, where the state intervenes in cases of child abuse or neglect, are also within the purview of juvenile courts. However, for more serious offenses such as aggravated assault, rape, murder, and robbery, a juvenile may be waived to adult court depending on the circumstances and severity of the case. In New Jersey's juvenile court system, proceedings are civil rather than criminal, and juveniles are adjudicated as delinquent rather than convicted of crimes. While juveniles do not have the right to a jury trial, they are afforded many protections under the law, and the focus is often on rehabilitation rather than punishment. The state's approach emphasizes giving juveniles the opportunity for a second chance, with an emphasis on treatment and education, while also balancing the interests of public safety.