ARBITRATION EXPERIENCE - IMPROVING THE PROCESS OF INTAKE SCREENING

• NCJ Number: 32660
• Journal: Juvenile Justice Volume: 27 Issue: 1 Dated: (FEBRUARY 1976) Pages: 13-17
• Author(s): D LAROM
• Date Published: 1976
• Length: 5 pages
• Corporate Author: National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges
• Publication Format: Article
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

A DESCRIPTION OF THE MARYLAND COMMUNITY ARBITRATION PROGRAM, INSTITUTED IN 1974, TO IMPROVE AND EXPEDITE THE DEPARTMENT OF JUVENILE SERVICES' SCREENING PROCESS BY ALLOWING ARBITRATORS TO HANDLE MISDEMEANOR REFERRALS.

Abstract

THIS PROGRAM ALLOWS DEPARTMENT COUNSELORS TO CONCENTRATE ON THE MORE SERIOUS CASES. PROMPT DISPOSITION IS SAID TO IMPRESS THE YOUTHFUL OFFENDERS WITH THE EFFICIENCY OF THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM. THE COMMUNITY ARBITRATOR MAY CLOSE A CASE DUE TO INSUFFICIENT EVIDENCE, CONTINUE THE INVESTIGATION, PLAN AN INFORMAL ADJUSTMENT BASED ON THE NEEDS OF BOTH THE DEFENDANT AND COMMUNITY, OR FORWARD THE CASE TO THE STATE ATTORNEY'S OFFICE. PRELIMINARY STATISTICS REVEAL A LOWER RECIDIVISM RATE AMONG THOSE HANDLED BY THE PROGRAM THAN AMONG MISDEMEANOR OFFENDERS HANDLED UNDER THE FORMER SYSTEM.