NCJ Number
38869
Journal
Crime and Delinquency Volume: 23 Issue: 1 Dated: (JANUARY 1977) Pages: 1-13
Date Published
1977
Length
13 pages
Annotation
EXAMINES CONTEMPORARY JUVENILE COURT PRACTICES AND FINDS THEM FAULTY AS TO THE LAW AND LAWYER REPRESENTATION AND DISPROPORTIONATELY CONCERNED WITH PROTECTING JUVENILE STATUS OFFENDERS FROM THEMSELVES.
Abstract
THE ARTICLE URGES A RIGOROUS ADHERENCE TO LEGAL PROCEDURES. DEFENSE COUNSEL REPRESENTATION SHOULD BE A MANDATORY REQUIREMENT. THE USE OF REFEREES AS HEARING OFFICERS - SYMBOLIC OF THE INFERIOR STATUS OF THE COURT IN THE JUDICIAL AND PUBLIC MIND - SHOULD BE ENDED. JURISDICTION OVER STATUS OFFENDERS SHOULD BE REPEALED, DIVERSION EXPANDED, WIDE-RANGING DISCRETION NARROWED, THE DOCTRINE OF THE LEAST RESTRICTIVE ALTERNATIVE PROMULGATED, AND THE CHANGE-AGENT COMMUNITY ROLE OF THE JUDGE AND PROBATION STAFF EXTENDED. THE COURT'S INCREASED INTEREST IN FURTHERING THE ACCOUNTABILITY OF COLLABORATIVE AGENCY SERVICES WITH COURT CLIENTELE IS ALSO SUPPORTED. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT)...KAP