Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) Business Law Practice Exam

What is the name of the court session to determine if a juvenile should remain in custody?

1. Detention hearing

2. Preliminary hearing

3. Arraignment

4. Court trial

The correct answer is: Detention hearing

The appropriate term for the court session that decides whether a juvenile should stay in custody is known as a detention hearing. This type of hearing is specifically designed to assess the need for continued detention of a juvenile after they have been taken into custody. During this session, the court reviews the circumstances surrounding the juvenile's case, including the nature of the offense, prior record, and any potential risks they may pose to themselves or the community if released. In contrast, a preliminary hearing typically occurs in adult criminal cases and is intended to establish whether there is enough evidence to proceed with charges. An arraignment is the formal reading of charges and allows the defendant to enter a plea. A court trial is the formal judicial examination of the issues of fact and law in a case, usually after all pre-trial proceedings have been completed. Each of these terms has its own specific role in the legal process, but the detention hearing is unique to juvenile cases and focuses directly on the custody determination.