adjudication
uh-joo-dih-KAY-shun
/əˌdʒuːdɪˈkeɪʃən/
The formal giving or pronouncing of a judgment or decree in a court proceeding.
It is the equivalent of a 'trial' in the juvenile system, but the terminology is kept distinct to avoid the stigma of adult criminal court.
The story behind the word. The word is built on the Latin 'judex' (judge). It literally means 'to act as a judge toward something.' In the juvenile system, an 'adjudicatory hearing' is the fancy name for the trial where a judge decides if the minor actually committed the act.
Word relationships
- judgment: Judgment is the final decision; adjudication is the formal process of reaching that decision.
- indecision: Indecision is the lack of a choice, whereas adjudication is the formal act of making one.
Commonly confused with
- arbitration: Arbitration is usually private and outside the court system; adjudication is typically a formal court process.
Word family
- adjudicate (verb): To make a formal judgment on a disputed matter.
- adjudicator (noun): A person who adjudicates.
Collocations
- formal adjudication
- adjudication process
- deferred adjudication
Example sentences
- "The adjudication of the case was delayed until the social worker's report was finalized." Legal textbook.
- "Adjudication is the legal process by which an arbiter or judge reviews evidence and argumentation." Formal dispute resolution. (Legal Encyclopedia)
Memory hook
Ad-JUDGE-ication: The process of the judge making a decision. A judge's final word.
When not to use
Do not use for casual decisions (e.g., deciding what to eat); it must be a formal, often legal, judgment.
Fun facts
- In the UK, 'adjudication' is also the term used for disciplinary hearings within prisons.
Related words
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