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 Alaska, the juvenile justice system is designed to handle cases involving minors who are accused of conduct that would constitute a crime if committed by an adult. The age of a juvenile in Alaska is typically defined as a person under 18 years of age. Juvenile courts in Alaska deal with offenses such as theft, drug offenses, assault, disorderly conduct, underage drinking, truancy, and curfew violations. However, for more serious offenses like aggravated assault, rape, murder, and robbery, the case may be waived to adult court depending on the circumstances and the age of the offender. In Alaska, juvenile cases are considered civil proceedings, and the focus is on rehabilitation rather than punishment. Minors are adjudicated as 'delinquent' rather than being convicted of a crime. While juveniles do not have the right to a jury trial in juvenile court, they are still afforded certain protections under the law, including the right to an attorney and the right to due process. The state also handles juvenile dependency cases, where the welfare of the child is at issue due to abuse or neglect. The juvenile justice system in Alaska aims to balance the interests of public safety, accountability, and the need for treatment and rehabilitation of young offenders.