NCJ Number
93824
Date Published
1980
Length
78 pages
Annotation
This technical assistance manual was prepared to help Wisconsin counties and circuit courts apply for State funds to develop community dispute resolution centers to handle minor disputes involving juveniles. It outlines planning strategies, discusses the State's Children's Code, and surveys programs in other States.
Abstract
An historical overview of the new interest in community dispute resolution focuses on increasing formalization of juvenile court proceedings under Supreme Court rulings, diversion programs, and the emergence of other alternatives to the courts. An outline of procedures for planning and implementing a dispute resolution program emphasizes the following elements: developing a set of clearly stated objectives, choosing an administrative location, defining the community and the target population, defining the anticipated effect of the new program on existing juvenile justice programs, and identifying available community resources for implementation. The manual analyzes the impact of the Children's Code (Chapter 48) on dispute resolution program procedures, with attention to voluntariness and coercion, confidentiality, double jeopardy, time limits, due process, evidentiary procedures, offenses hearable, and staff liability. It concludes that Chapter 48 does not pose any significant barriers to implementing community dispute settlement projects. The manual concludes with critical comments on applying dispute resolution techniques to juvenile problems and recommendations for program development in Wisconsin. Charts, footnotes, and over 80 references are supplied. The appendix summarizes four juvenile dispute settlement programs which could be replicated in Wisconsin.