25 CFR § 11.900 - Definitions.

---
identifier: "/us/cfr/t25/s11.900"
source: "ecfr"
legal_status: "authoritative_unofficial"
title: "25 CFR § 11.900 - Definitions."
title_number: 25
title_name: "Indians"
section_number: "11.900"
section_name: "Definitions."
chapter_name: "BUREAU OF INDIAN AFFAIRS, DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR"
subchapter_number: "B"
subchapter_name: "LAW AND ORDER"
part_number: "11"
part_name: "COURTS OF INDIAN OFFENSES AND LAW AND ORDER CODE"
positive_law: false
currency: "2026-03-24"
last_updated: "2026-03-24"
format_version: "1.1.0"
generator: "[email protected]"
authority: "5 U.S.C. 301; R.S. 463, 25 U.S.C. 2; R.S. 465, 25 U.S.C. 9; 42 Stat. 208, 25 U.S.C. 13; 38 Stat. 586, 25 U.S.C. 200."
regulatory_source: "58 FR 54411, Oct. 21, 1993, unless otherwise noted."
cfr_part: "11"
---


# 11.900 Definitions.

For purposes of sections pertaining to the children's court:

(a) *Abandon* means the leaving of a minor without communication or failing to support a minor for a period of one year or more with no indication of the parents' willingness to assume a parental role.

(b) *Adult* means a person eighteen (18) years or older.

(c) *Counsel* means an attorney admitted to the bar of a state or the District of Columbia or a lay advocate admitted to practice before the Court of Indian Offenses.

(d) *Custodian* means one who has physical custody of a minor and who is providing food, shelter and supervision to the minor.

(e) *Custody* means the power to control the day-to-day activities of the minor.

(f) *Delinquent act* means an act which, if committed by an adult, would be designated a crime under this part or under an ordinance of the tribe.

(g) *Detention* means the placement of a minor in a physically restrictive facility.

(h) *Guardian* means a person other than the minor's parent who is by law responsible for the care of the minor.

(i) *Guardian ad Litem* means a person appointed by the court to represent the minor's interests before the court.

(j) *Juvenile offender* means a person who commits a delinquent act prior to his or her eighteenth birthday.

(k) *Minor* means:

(1) A person under 18 years of age,

(2) A person 18 years of age or older concerning whom proceedings are commenced in the children's court prior to his or her eighteenth birthday, or

(3) A person 18 years of age or older who is under the continuing jurisdiction of the children's court.

(l) *Minor-in-need-of-care* means a minor who:

(1) Has no parent or guardian available and willing to take care of him or her;

(2) Is unwilling to allow his or her parent or guardian to take care of him or her;

(3) Has suffered or is likely to suffer a physical or emotional injury, inflicted by other than accidental means, which causes or creates a substantial risk of death, disfigurement, impairment of bodily functions or emotional health;

(4) Has not been provided with adequate food, clothing, shelter, medical care, education or supervision by his or her parent, guardian or custodian;

(5) Has been sexually abused;

(6) Has been committing delinquent acts as a result of parental pressure, guidance or approval; or,

(7) Has been committing status offenses.

(m) *Status offense* means an offense which, if committed by an adult, would not be designated a crime under this part or under an ordinance of the tribe.