NCJ Number
85512
Journal
Journal of Family Issues Volume: 1 Issue: 2 Dated: (June 1980) Pages: 229-248
Date Published
1980
Length
20 pages
Annotation
Because current legislative trends indicate that child advocates will succeed in abolishing juvenile court jurisdiction over runaways and other status offenders, comprehensive planning for this outcome must be initiated.
Abstract
States must plan for prevention and diversion programs, communication networks, runaway centers and shelters, crisis homes, and other efforts to aid runaways. The article traces the history and development of events leading to the current debates on the validity of the juvenile court by examining the 'child savers,' or those reformers who instituted the first juvenile court. It looks at the 'constitutionalists,' who insist on due process and other procedural rights for children; the 'revisionists,' who advocate the adversary system of juvenile justice; and the 'abolitionists,' who want to remove runaways and other status offenders from juvenile court jurisdiction or, at the extreme, to abolish the juvenile court altogether. Four case citations and about 60 references are provided. (Author abstract modified)