NCJ Number
172431
Date Published
1997
Length
48 pages
Annotation
The Balanced Juvenile Justice and Crime Prevention Act of 1997 is intended to improve Federal juvenile justice proceedings, to foster youth development, and to prevent juvenile crime and delinquency.
Abstract
The bill recognizes violent juvenile crime is increasing in frequency and severity, the juvenile justice system has not kept pace with the changing nature of juvenile crime, prosecutors must be empowered to prosecute serious juvenile offenders as adults, drug use and addiction among juveniles have increased, and gangs have growing juvenile membership. Title I of the bill focuses on enhanced prosecution of dangerous juvenile offenders, with emphasis on juvenile delinquency proceedings in district courts, juvenile custody prior to appearance before a judicial officer, juvenile detention prior to disposition and sentencing, and speedy trials. Title I also deals with the availability of increased juvenile detention, fines, and supervised release for juvenile offenders; records of crimes committed by juveniles; and serious juvenile delinquency adjudications for drug offenses as armed career criminal act predicates. Title II covers youth development and juvenile crime prevention, specifically juvenile gun courts, community-based juvenile justice grants for prosecutors, juvenile drug courts, and after school crime prevention programs.