NCJ Number
150352
Journal
Juvenile Justice Volume: 1 Issue: 1 Dated: (Spring-Summer 1993) Pages: 8-16
Date Published
1993
Length
9 pages
Annotation
In this interview, an associate judge of the Baltimore City Circuit Court focuses on the role of the juvenile judge and issues in juvenile justice.
Abstract
Judge David Mitchell comments that juvenile judges should take responsibility for local leadership, because they are usually in the best position to address the needs of the families that come before the court. Only the judge should make decisions on juvenile court waiver; waiver is used to much. Diversion is a viable approach and should be operated by an executive agency rather than the police. Imprisonment protects potential victims for a time period, but it is not a deterrent. Basic values must be provided in the home, and educational, housing, and social opportunities must be provided in the inner city. It is also important to address juvenile status offenses such as truancy, because every juvenile delinquent was a status offender at some earlier point. Unfortunately, juvenile justice work has low status, and most people lack knowledge of juvenile law. If fiscal constraints continue, they will seriously harm efforts at juvenile justice reform. Services will be concentrated in institutions, and few resources will remain in the community. However, most juvenile institutions are simply little prisons where inmates make contacts for future criminal activities.