North Carolina Basic Law Enforcement Training (BLET) State Practice Exam

The court has jurisdiction over a juvenile until which of the following occurs?

1. The juvenile reaches 21 years of age

2. Until terminated by the court

3. Until the juvenile is sentenced

4. Until the family is reunified

The correct answer is: Until terminated by the court

The court has jurisdiction over a juvenile until terminated by the court. This means that the legal authority and oversight that the court has over a juvenile can continue until the court makes a formal decision to end that jurisdictional authority. This process is typically determined by the progress and circumstances surrounding the juvenile's case, which may include compliance with court orders, rehabilitation efforts, or other factors deemed relevant by the court. While there might be age-related considerations in juvenile justice, the key factor here is the court's ongoing authority. The other options do not accurately capture the nature of juvenile jurisdiction, which is specifically managed through court proceedings and decisions rather than simply age limits, sentencing outcomes, or family reunification statuses. Ultimately, the court retains the power to make determinations on a juvenile's case until they decide it is appropriate to terminate that jurisdiction.