NCJ Number
58728
Date Published
1979
Length
207 pages
Annotation
THE JUVENILE JUSTICE SYSTEM, JUVENILE CODE REVISIONS, EFFORTS TO COMPLY WITH FEDERAL REGULATIONS, AND RECOMMENDATIONS ARE DISCUSSED IN THIS SECOND PHASE OF THE VIRGINIA STATE CRIME COMMISSION REPORT.
Abstract
RESEARCH WAS CONDUCTED THROUGH ON SITE VISITS TO A VARIETY OF URBAN, SUBURBAN, AND RURAL VIRGINIA COMMUNITIES (I.E., 2 REGIONAL GROUP HOME SYSTEMS, 11 SECURE DETENTION CENTERS, 16 COMMUNITY YOUTH HOMES) AND BY INTERVIEWS HELD WITH MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE COMMONWEALTH'S ATTORNEYS SERVICES AND TRAINING COUNCIL AND OTHER CRIMINAL JUSTICE PERSONNEL. QUESTIONNAIRES WERE SENT TO ALL POLICE AND SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENTS, AS WELL AS COMMONWEALTH'S ATTORNEYS AND PROBATION OFFICERS, AND STATISTICAL DATA WERE GATHERED FROM THE STATE POLICE AND OTHER JUVENILE JUSTICE-ORIENTED DEPARTMENTS. SPECIFIC TOPICS DISCUSSED INCLUDE THE JAILING OF JUVENILES, IMPLEMENTATION OF THE JUVENILE CODE REVISION, JUVENILE COURT/JUVENILE COURT JUDGES, LEGAL REPRESENTATION OF JUVENILES, JUVENILE COURT SERVICE UNITS (ISSUES FACING PERSONNEL, SERVICES AND PROGRAMS), AND COMMUNITY RESIDENTIAL CARE (SECURE DETENTION CENTERS, ALTERNATIVES TO DETENTION, COMMUNITY YOUTH HOMES, FAMILY GROUP HOMES). IN ADDITION, THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE JUVENILE JUSTICE SYSTEM AND SCHOOLS, EMPLOYMENT, AND OTHER SERVICE AGENCIES IS EXAMINED. RECOMMENDATIONS URGE THE REVISION OF TRAINING PROGRAMS ON JUVENILE LAW FOR POLICE, CLARIFICATION OF EXISTING LAW ON TIME LIMITS FOR DETENTION OF CHILDREN NEEDING SERVICES (NO LONGER THAN 72 HOURS), FORMATION OF A TASK FORCE TO DEVELOP GUIDELINES FOR THE DELINEATION OF ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES BETWEEN JUVENILE COURT JUDGES AND COURT SERVICE UNIT DIRECTORS, ENCOURAGEMENT OF LOCAL BAR ASSOCIATIONS TO SPONSOR ORIENTATION TRAINING FOR ATTORNEYS SERVING THE JUVENILE COURT, AND OTHER REFORMS. COSTS, PERSONNEL INTERVIEWED, AND OTHER INFORMATION ASSOCIATED WITH THE REPORT ARE APPENDED, AND A GLOSSARY AND FOOTNOTES ARE INCLUDED. (WJR)