NCJ Number
79039
Journal
RODINO INSTITUTE OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE ANNUAL JOURNAL Volume: 2 Dated: (1980) Pages: 38-55
Date Published
1980
Length
18 pages
Annotation
These panel presentations from the 1979 Conference on Juvenile Justice Reform discuss a project designed to gather data on current juvenile court operations, some New Jersey juvenile justice reforms, the general failure of the existing juvenile justice system, and dispositional alternatives for juveniles.
Abstract
The project described in the first presentation is designed to determine what changes have occurred in juvenile court procedures since the 1967 'In re Gault' U.S. Supreme Court decision. Specifically, the project aims at developing a typology of metropolitan juvenile courts for critical examination by a panel of experts and analyzing the operational characteristics, policies, and procedures of six typical juvenile courts through onsite observations. The methodology and not the findings of the project is presented. The New Jersey juvenile court reforms discussed in the second presentation include the deinstitutionalization of status offenders, the development of a comprehensive statewide juvenile intake service, the enactment of a new juvenile code, and a proposal for the development of a family court which would handle all family problems, including circumstances of the ungovernability or incorrigibility of juveniles. The third presentation argues that the current juvenile justice system does not prevent and in some cases even nurtures a youth's alienation. Efforts that will keep youth involved with their families and in contact with programs and trained persons that can provide role models for constructive living are recommended. The concluding presentation discusses dispositional alternatives for juveniles. Emphasis is given to the development of a battery of possible dispositions that will fit the severity of the offense and the needs of the offender. Criteria for transferring a juvenile case to the adult criminal court are listed.