NCJ Number
69380
Date Published
Unknown
Length
25 pages
Annotation
A BOOKLET PREPARED TO AUGMENT THE TRAINING PROVIDED FOR MEMBERS OF THE SPOKANE COUNTY JUVENILE COURT CONFERENCE COMMITTEES IS PRESENTED; COMMITTEE PURPOSES, ORGANIZATION, AND RELATION TO THE COURT ARE STRESSED.
Abstract
CONFERENCE COMMITTEES ARE BOARDS OF VOLUNTEER CITIZENS WHO MEET WITH SELECTED YOUTH AND THEIR PARENTS IN CASES WHERE THE YOUTH HAVE BEEN ARRESTED FOR MINOR CRIMES SUCH AS SHOPLIFTING. THE COMMITTEES ARE AN EXTENSION OF THE SPOKANE COUNTY JUVENILE COURT AND ACT ONLY ON CASES REFERRED BY THE COURT. THEIR ROLE IS TO PROVIDE GUIDANCE AND SUPPORT TO FAMILIES. FAMILIES MEET WITH COMMITTEES VOLUNTARILY, AS AN ALTERNATIVE TO APPEARING BEFORE THE COURT. COMMITTEE MEMBERS INTERVIEW THE FAMILY AND MAY PROVIDE RECOMMENDATIONS THAT WILL HELP THE FAMILY DEAL WITH THE SITUATION. A MAJOR BENEFIT OF THE CONFERENCE COMMITTEES IS THAT THEY IMPRESS THE YOUNGSTERS AND THEIR FAMILIES WITH THE FACT THAT THE ENTIRE COMMUNITY, NOT JUST THE JUSTICE SYSTEM, HAS A DEFINITE INTEREST IN THEIR CONDUCT; THEIR ACTIONS ARE ACCOUNTABLE TO ALL COMMUNITY MEMBERS. SINCE THE COMMITTEES ARE AN EXTENSION OF THE COURT, A BASIC UNDERSTANDING OF THE COURT'S RESPONSIBILITIES AND PHILOSOPHY IS MANDATORY. BY LAW, THE COURT HAS THE RESPONSIBILITY TO DEAL WITH THOSE YOUNGSTERS UNDER AGE 18 WHO HAVE BEEN BROUGHT TO ITS ATTENTION BY LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES, SOCIAL SERVICE AGENCIES, PARENTS, OR OTHER CONCERNED PARTIES. THE JUVENILE COURT IS UNDER THE CONTROL OF A SUPERIOR COURT JUDGE. THE COURT MUST INSURE THAT THE CHILD AND PARENTS UNDERSTAND THEIR LEGAL RIGHTS, DETERMINE IF THE BASIS OF REFERRAL IS VALID OR INVALID, AND IF THE REFERRAL IS VALID MAY TAKE SOME ACTION; I.E., DISPOSITION, TO ASSIST IN PREVENTING RECURRENCE OF THE BEHAVIOR. COMMITTEE MEMBERS WORK IN TEAMS OF THREE, ASSISTED BY A PROFESSIONAL COURT STAFF MEMBER. IF THE FAMILY CHOOSES NOT TO ATTEND MEETINGS, THE CASE IS SENT BACK TO COURT FOR RESOLUTION. COMMITTEE APPOINTMENTS ARE MADE FOR 1 TO 2 YEARS.