YO
Law & Legal abbreviation · Criminal Law
| Stands for | Youthful offender |
|---|---|
| Categories | Law & Legal |
YO stands for Youthful offender, a criminal law abbreviation.
Status available in New York and some other states that replaces a criminal conviction with a sealed youthful offender adjudication for eligible young defendants. It reduces the maximum sentence and keeps the record confidential.
Example: The judge granted YO status, vacating the conviction and sealing the record.
Usage notes
New York's procedure appears in Criminal Procedure Law Article 720, and Alabama and other states have their own youthful offender laws. A YO finding is not a conviction for most purposes, which matters for employment and licensing. Federal courts have no direct equivalent.
Related abbreviations
More criminal law abbreviations
- 5K – Substantial assistance departure (U.S.S.G. § 5K1.1)
- ACD – Adjournment in contemplation of dismissal
- ADW – Assault with a deadly weapon
- ARD – Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition
- B&E – Breaking and entering
- BOP – Federal Bureau of Prisons
- BW – Bench warrant
- CDS – Controlled dangerous substance
- CI – Confidential informant
- CO – Correctional officer
- COA – Certificate of appealability
- cr – Criminal (case-type code)
See all 46 criminal law abbreviations →
This entry is for general education and is not legal advice. Abbreviation use varies between institutions; always confirm in context.