NCJ Number
58068
Date Published
1978
Length
90 pages
Annotation
THIS GUIDE FOR REPORTERS AND EDITORS PROVIDES INFORMATION AND RESOURCES ABOUT JUVENILE COURT PROCEEDINGS FOR EACH STATE, ALONG WITH AN OVERVIEW OF FEDERAL LAW.
Abstract
IT IS DESIGNED TO BE A REFERENCE TOOL FOR NEWSPAPER PEOPLE TO LEARN HOW EACH STATE HANDLES JUVENILE COURT PROCEEDINGS AND HOW EACH STATE'S PRACTICES COMPARE WITH THOSE OF OTHER STATES AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. THE DOCUMENT COMPRISES A BRIEF COMMENTARY DESCRIBING U.S. FEDERAL AND STATE LAWS AFFECTING JUVENILE COURT PROCEEDINGS AND A LENGTHY APPENDIX OF PERTINENT SECTIONS FROM STATE STATUTES ON THE SUBJECT. THE COMPILATION OF STATE STATUTES IS UP TO DATE AS OF EARLY 1978 AND RELATES TO FOUR SUBJECTS: (1) AGE OF MAJORITY FOR PURPOSES OF DEFINING THE JURISDICTION OF THE JUVENILE COURT; (2) PROCEDURES RELATING TO THE CONDUCT OF PROCEEDINGS IN JUVENILE CASES, PARTICULARLY WITH RESPECT TO WHETHER SUCH PROCEEDINGS ARE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC; (3) PUBLIC AVAILABILITY OF THE RECORD OF JUVENILE PROCEEDINGS; AND (4) PROVISIONS RELATING TO SERIOUS OFFENSES, INCLUDING CAPITAL CASES, IN WHICH DIFFERENT PROCEDURES OFFERING MORE AVAILABILITY TO THE PUBLIC MAY APPLY. THE GUIDE MAY ALSO SERVE AS A REFERENCE TOOL FOR THE PROTECTION OF REPORTERS AND THEIR NEWSPAPERS, AS MANY STATES PROHIBIT REPORTING ON JUVENILE PROCEEDINGS OR THE PUBLICATION OF THE IDENTITY OF MINORS BROUGHT BEFORE JUVENILE COURTS. NOTES FOR STATE AND FEDERAL LAW DESCRIPTIONS ARE INCLUDED, AND SOURCES OF THE STATE LAWS AND STATUTES ARE PROVIDED. (MHP)