JUVENILE COURTS FUNCTIONS AND RELEVENT THEORY

• NCJ Number: 52436
• Author(s): J M KNIGHT SR
• Date Published: 1978
• Length: 73 pages
• Corporate Author: R and E Research Associates, Inc
• Sale Source: R and E Research Associates, Inc
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

THIS PAPER DESCRIBES THE FUNCTIONS, PROCEDURES, AND GOALS OF THE MEMPHIS AND SHELBY COUNTY (TENN.) JUVENILE COURTS AND EXAMINES THREE THEORIES OF CHILD BEHAVIORAL DEVELOPMENT THAT AFFECT REHABILITATION PROGRAMS.

Abstract

THE TENNESSEE JUVENILE COURT CONSISTS OF AN ADMINISTRATIVE AND COURT SERVICES DIVISION AND THE COURT CLERK'S OFFICE. CHILDREN ENTER THE COURT THROUGH THE INTAKE UNIT OF THE CHILDREN'S SERVICES DIVISION OF COURT SERVICES. HERE CASES ARE SCREENED TO DETERMINE WHETHER A FORMAL HEARING IS NECESSARY. A CHILD MAY BE DIVERTED TO A COMMUNITY AGENCY AT THIS STAGE, AND A LIST OF TENNESSEE REFERRAL AGENCIES IS PROVIDED. MENTALLY ILL CHILDREN ALSO ARE SCREENED OUT AT THIS STAGE, AND TREATMENT PROGRAMS ARE PRESCRIBED FOR THEM. A CHILD WHO CONTINUES IN THE JUDICIAL PROCESS CAN BE RELEASED AT THE INTAKE STAGE ON CONDITION OF A WRITTEN PROMISE TO APPEAR IN COURT OR BE HELD IN DETENTION. THE CHILD WHO APPEARS IN COURT SHOLD BE ALLOWED THOSE RIGHTS AND PROTECTIONS ASCRIBED TO ADULT DEFENDANTS. THE JUVENILE COURT DETERMINES THE DISPOSITION OF A CHILD'S CASE, AND THE DECISION MAY BE APPEALED TO THE CIRCUIT COURT. IF THE CHILD ENTERS THE CORRECTIONAL SYSTEM AND IS ASSIGNED TO A TRAINING OR REFORM SCHOOL, EVERY ATTEMPT IS MADE TO ASSESS AND PROVIDE FOR THE CHILD'S NEEDS SO THAT THE CHILD'S LIFE CAN CONTINUE TO BE AS NORMAL AS POSSIBLE. STATUTORY PROVISIONS PREVENT THE JUVENILE FROM SUFFERING THE CONSEQUENCES OF BEING LABELED CRIMINAL. AN AUXILIARY AUXILIARY PROBATION SERVICE, STAFFED MAINLY BY VOLUNTEERS, SUPERVISES JUVENILE PAROLEES. THREE PERSONALITY THEORIES OF CHILD DEVELOPMENT ARE DESCRIBED INVOLVING PSYCHODYNAMIC, TRAIT, AND BEHAVIORALISTIC NEW PSYCHOLOGICAL CONCEPTS HAVE HAD IMPLICATIONS FOR THEORY. THESE NEW PSYCHOLOGICAL CONCEPTS HAVE HAD IMPLICATIONS FOR JUVENILE CORRECTIONS POLICY, AND JUVENILE COURTS HAVE BEEN ABLE TO EXPAND AND SURPASS EARLIER PROGRAMS WITH GREATER COST EFFICIENCY DUE TO THESE ADVANCES IN PSYCHOLOGY. REFERENCES ARE PROVIDED. (DAG)