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 Mexico, juvenile courts handle cases involving minors typically under the age of 18 who are accused of delinquent acts, which would be considered crimes if committed by adults. These can include theft, drug offenses, assault, disorderly conduct, underage drinking, truancy, and curfew violations. Juvenile dependency matters, where the state intervenes in cases of abuse or neglect, are also within the jurisdiction of these courts. However, for more serious offenses such as aggravated assault, rape, murder, and robbery, a juvenile may be tried in adult court, depending on the severity of the offense and the age of the juvenile. In New Mexico, the juvenile justice system emphasizes rehabilitation over punishment, aiming to provide minors with the opportunity for reform rather than subjecting them to the traditional criminal justice system. While juveniles do not have the right to a jury trial in juvenile court, they are entitled to other constitutional protections, such as the right to an attorney and the right to confront witnesses. The proceedings in juvenile court are civil, not criminal, and the focus is on the best interests of the minor, with various outcomes possible, including probation, counseling, or placement in a juvenile facility.