Art. 811.3 Definitions

This rule explains some key terms used in juvenile court cases. It defines who counts as a victim when a young person commits an act that would be a crime if done by an adult.

A "juvenile crime victim" is anyone under 18 who has been harmed by this kind of act. A "victim" is simply anyone who has been harmed by the act, regardless of their age. These definitions help identify who has legal rights and protections in these cases, such as the right to be informed about court proceedings or to speak at hearings.

The rule also defines "victim's family" to include close relatives like a spouse, child, sibling, parent, grandparent, guardian, or legal representative. This matters because family members often need to act on behalf of a victim, especially if the victim is a child. However, the rule makes clear that someone does not count as family for these purposes if they are currently in custody for a crime or if they are the person accused in the case.