NCJ Number
95388
Date Published
1983
Length
88 pages
Annotation
This second volume in the five-volume series describes the history, philosophy, and rationale of the Washington State law implemented in 1978 to hold juveniles accountable for their crimes while holding the system accountable for what it does to juveniles.
Abstract
Perhaps the most unique change made in the law is the shift from indeterminate sentencing based on the needs of the youth to a presumptive sentencing scheme in which punishment given to juvenile offenders is proportionate to the seriousness of the offense, prior criminal history, and the age of the youth. In addition, the new law places responsibility for intake to the juvenile system with the prosecutor's office for all felony cases and for misdemeanor incidents. The law also establishes community-based diversion programs for juvenile offenders in lieu of formal processing. Finally, the law prevents juveniles from being brought under the jurisdiction of the court for the commission of status offenses. The basic thrust of the status offender provisions is to divest juvenile court of all jurisdiction over misbehavior that is not a violation of the State code. The law's status offender provisions clearly reflect the principles of a justice model and also emphasize the notion that social services should be highly visible and highly accessible to families that cannot solve their own problems. The responses by juvenile justice agencies to key provisions in the law are examined. Ten figures, 1 table, and 70 references are included. For the other volumes in the series, see NCJ 95387 and 95389-91.