What does it mean to be adjudged delinquent?

Being adjudged delinquent means that a minor has been classified as such through proper court proceedings. This legal determination occurs after a juvenile has been formally charged with an offense and has gone through the adjudication process in a juvenile court.

During this process, the court evaluates evidence and witness testimonies to determine whether the minor has committed the alleged offense. If the court finds sufficient evidence, it will render a judgment of delinquency. This classification allows the court to impose interventions, which may include rehabilitation programs, probation, or other measures aimed at correcting the minor's behavior and guiding them away from future delinquency.

The other options do not accurately reflect the meaning of being adjudged delinquent. Filing charges involves initiating a legal process but does not denote a verdict or outcome. A juvenile undergoing rehabilitation could be a result of being adjudged delinquent, but it is not the definition itself. Additionally, being under parental custody pertains to the living arrangements of the minor rather than their adjudicated status in relation to the law.