NCJ Number
213609
Date Published
July 2002
Length
29 pages
Annotation
This resource manual outlines the main policy positions of the National District Attorneys Association (NDAA) regarding juvenile crime and justice issues, with particular emphasis on serious, violent, and habitual juvenile offenders.
Abstract
Intended to aid prosecutors, the materials presented in this report review general policies for consideration on a variety of topics related to juvenile crime and juvenile justice. These policies were formally adopted by the NDAA on July 14, 2002. Policy topics under discussion include organization priorities, decision to prosecute, adult versus juvenile prosecution, detention, and sentencing policies. Policy positions falling under the topic of organization priorities include the position that juvenile prosecution is a priority requiring experienced prosecutors and efforts should be made to fast track juvenile cases. Policy positions concerning the decision to prosecute include the position that prosecutors should consider diversion programs for first-time low-level juvenile offenders and that prosecutors should have input in the eligibility criteria and other guidelines for juvenile diversion programs. Other policy topics under consideration in this report regard the use of statements by juveniles, parental responsibility, information access, and victims' rights. The NDAA has adopted the position that there should be no procedural differences between the taking of statements from a juvenile and an adult and, in terms of parental responsibility, that parents or legal guardians should be required to participate in the judicial process and the in the consequences imposed in juvenile cases. The NDAA also maintains that juvenile prosecutions should be open to the public in the same manner as adult proceedings and that victims of crimes should have the same rights in juvenile courts as they do in adult criminal courts. A number of policy positions are also outlined regarding crime prevention, guns and other dangerous weapons, gangs, and Federal responsibility for juvenile prosecution. Footnotes