NCJ Number
161471
Date Published
1993
Length
46 pages
Annotation
This is a survey of criminal justice professionals in Montana to document and evaluate the effectiveness of the State's minors in possession (MIP) statutes.
Abstract
This report includes an outline of survey results, frequency distributions for each of the groups surveyed, and a summary of responses to open-ended questions. Survey results included the following: (1) A majority of Montana law enforcement agencies have no written policies regarding MIP. (2) Limited staff and resources was often cited as a major constraining factor in enforcing MIP statutes. (3) Sentencing of MIP offenders is somewhat uniform, but may vary depending on the situation. (4) In most of the jurisdictions covered by survey respondents, all youths in proximity to alcohol (in a car or at a party) are cited for MIP. (5) Previous experience with the youth would increase the chances of citation for MIP and would affect the severity of the sentencing. (6) Allowing persons under the age of 21 years to sell alcohol in retail establishments contributed to the MIP problem. (7) Community attitudes have a negative effect on juvenile probation officers' ability to deal with MIP problems. Figures and list of figures, appendixes