NCJ Number
43792
Date Published
1976
Length
41 pages
Annotation
A SET OF BASIC MINIMUM AND ESSENTIAL PRACTICES TO GOVERN JUVENILE COURT INTAKE IN THE STATE OF PENNSYLVANIA, AS DEVELOPED BY A SPECIAL TASK FORCE OF THE JUVENILE COURT JUDGES' COMMISSION IS PRESENTED.
Abstract
THESE STANDARDS WERE DEVELOPED UNDER THE PENNSYLVANIA JUVENILE ACT TO FACILITATE GREATER UNIFORMITY IN DECISIONMAKING, INCREASE EFFICIENCY, INCREASE RESPONSIBILITY OF INTAKE AGENCIES, AND PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY OF INFORMATION. FOR EACH STANDARD, THERE IS A DISCUSSION OF THE RATIONALE USED BY THE TASK FORCE PLUS EXAMPLES OF IMPLEMENTATION. BASICALLY, THE 13 STANDARDS STIPULATE THAT EACH JUVENILE COURT SHALL ESTABLISH WRITTEN COMPRHENSIVE GUIDELINES FOR JUVENILE COURT INTAKE AND ITS ADMINISTRATION, THAT AN ALLEGATION FORM SHALL BE COMPLETED BY THE COMPLAINANT AND GUIDELINES SHALL BE ESTABLISHED FOR FILING OF THESE ALLEGATIONS, THAT WRITTEN NOTICE SHALL BE GIVEN THE JUVENILE AND PARENTS WITHIN REASONABLE TIME AFTER RECEIPT OF AN ALLEGATION FORM, THAT JUVENILE AND PARENTS SHALL BE INFORMED OF ALL CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS, THAT THE COURT SHALL MAINTAIN LISTS OF ADEQUATE AGENCIES TO WHICH JUVENILES CAN BE REFERRED AND MAKE MAXIMUM USE OF SUCH REFERRALS CONSISTENT WITH THE INTERESTS OF THE JUVENILE AND THE PUBLIC SAFETY, AND THAT JUVENILE JUSTICE STAFF SHALL BE THOROUGHLY TRAINED. THE STANDARDS ALSO PROVIDE FOR REVIEW OF PROCEDURES. TABLES ARE INCLUDED DIAGRAMMING THE JUVENILE JUSTICE PROCESS TO HELP AGENCIES DETERMINE CRITICAL DECISION POINTS AND DECIDE WHAT INFORMATION IS NECESSARY TO MAKE THE NECESSARY DECISION. SAMPLE FORMS WHICH MEET THESE STATE GUIDELINES ARE APPENDED.