Legal Definitions - juvenile-court judge

A juvenile-court judge is a public official appointed or elected to hear and decide legal matters in court that involve juveniles. They preside over a court that has jurisdiction exclusively over matters involving child abuse and neglect, status offenses, and sometimes suits to terminate parental rights.

For example, if a teenager is accused of committing a crime, a juvenile-court judge would hear the case and decide on the appropriate punishment. They may also oversee cases involving custody and visitation rights for children.

Juvenile-court judges are responsible for ensuring that the best interests of the child are taken into account when making decisions. They may work closely with social workers, probation officers, and other professionals to determine the most appropriate course of action for each case.