NCJ Number
104909
Date Published
1985
Length
447 pages
Annotation
This text provides an overview of the juvenile justice system (JJS), and juvenile case processing within the context of law, policy, practice, judicial decisions, and research.
Abstract
JJS treatment of serious and recidivist juvenile offenders and of status offenders is first considered. The former are in severe danger of being exited to criminal court sanctions, while the latter are more likely to be exited to community treatment without traditional juvenile court controls. Juvenile case processing then is traced from police apprehension, through detention, intake, and prosecution, to case disposition. The functions, strategies, and concerns of both prosecutors and defense lawyers in the JJS also are considered. Issues affecting abused, dependent, and neglected children then are reviewed as an increasingly vital part of juvenile court caseloads. This is followed by an assessment of juvenile court judges and the structure and organization of the juvenile court. Challenges to the role of the juvenile court as traditionally perceived are identified, and approaches are proposed for reshaping the juvenile justice process. These include the abolishment of status offenses, the development of effective dispositional options, an emphasis on fairness and procedural safeguards, and the use of sanctions proportional to the injury of the offense. Chapter notes and references, and an index.