What is the definition of a station adjustment?

A station adjustment refers to an informal method used by law enforcement agencies, often in conjunction with juvenile justice protocols, to address minor violations or offenses committed by youths without formally charging them. It typically involves providing consequences or interventions aimed at correcting behavior and preventing further delinquency, tailored to the individual circumstances of the minor involved.

When a minor is given a station adjustment, it often implies that the minor has breached a condition previously set, and this adjustment serves as a consequence that avoids the formal judicial process. It can include measures such as counseling, educational programs, or community service, but importantly it does focus on addressing any prior violations rather than simply being a method of assigning new penalties or evaluations. Thus, the accurate portrayal of a station adjustment hinges upon its role in managing and rectifying a minor's prior infractions, promoting rehabilitation rather than punishment.