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 York, the Family Court generally has jurisdiction over cases involving individuals under the age of 18 who are accused of committing acts that would constitute a crime if committed by an adult. These acts are referred to as 'delinquent acts' rather than crimes. The purpose of the juvenile court system in New York is to provide a process that seeks rehabilitation rather than punishment, focusing on the best interests of the minor. For less serious offenses, such as theft, drug offenses, and disorderly conduct, the Family Court handles the proceedings. However, for certain serious crimes, such as murder or rape, a juvenile as young as 13 can be tried as an adult in the criminal court system under the Juvenile Offender Law. Juvenile dependency cases, where there may be abuse or neglect, are also within the purview of the Family Court. While juveniles do not have the right to a jury trial in Family Court, they are entitled to other fundamental protections, including the right to an attorney, the right to confront witnesses, and the privilege against self-incrimination.