NCJ Number
65593
Date Published
1977
Length
45 pages
Annotation
A MODEL JUVENILE RECORDS STATUTE FOR RESOLVING PROBLEMS IN JUVENILE RECORDKEEPING IN WISCONSIN IS PRESENTED.
Abstract
THE MODEL STATUTE ATTEMPTS TO NOTIFY THE JUVENILE OF THE EXISTENCE OF HIS/HER RECORD, THE RIGHT TO INSPECT AND CHALLENGE THIS RECORD, AND THE PROVISIONS FOR THE SEALING AND PURGING OF THE RECORD. THE MODEL ALLOWS A JUVENILE TO GAIN ACCESS TO HIS/HER RECORDS UPON 48-HOURS NOTICE AND PROOF OF IDENTIFICATION. IN KEEPING WITH THE GOAL OF CONFIDENTIALITY, ONLY SPECIFIC PERSONS, COURTS, AND AGENCIES ARE AUTHORIZED TO GAIN ACCESS TO JUVENILE RECORDS. AUTHORIZED ACCESS VARIES WITH THE PARTICULAR TYPE OF JUVENILE RECORD REQUESTED AND THE TYPE OF AGENCY, BE WHETHER IT IS LAW ENFORCEMENT, A COURT, OR A SOCIAL SERVICE. CRITERIA FOR JUVENILE PHOTOGRAPHING, FINGERPRINTING, AND LINE-UP PARTICIPATION BY LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES ARE ALSO INCLUDED IN THE PROPOSED MODEL STATUTE. THE MODEL STATUTE IS INTENDED TO PROVIDE SOME UNIFORMITY FOR THE COMPILATION, MAINTENANCE, AND UTILIZATION OF INFORMATION ABOUT THOSE IN THE JUVENILE SYSTEM AND ALSO BALANCE THE INTERESTS OF CONFIDENTIALITY AND ACCURACY. A CHART CONTRASTING THE PRESENT CHILDREN'S CODE WITH THE PROPOSED STATUTE AND A QUESTIONNAIRE ARE APPENDED. (PRG)