NCJ Number
205077
Date Published
December 2003
Length
92 pages
Annotation
This booklet assists juvenile prosecutors in managing the distinctive and varied issues that arise from crime on school property and the work of School Resource Officers (SRO's).
Abstract
SRO's often perform traditional policing roles on school grounds; however, they may spend most of their time in activities with students that pertain to delinquency prevention but have no direct function in enforcing a law. Part 1 of this booklet provides an overview of the roles of three participants in the disposition of delinquency cases that stem from juvenile behavior at school; these are the school itself, the SRO, and the juvenile prosecutor. This section of the booklet explains the responsibilities of each in the safe functioning of public schools. Part 2 addresses the legal standards that govern the work of SRO's and juvenile prosecutors under the fourth and fifth amendments as they apply to cases linked to the school setting. The issues discussed are SRO interviews with students, school searches and seizures, and the confidentiality of juvenile and school records. Part 3 discusses some of the legal and practical issues that arise from students' behaviors that threaten safety and education services in schools, including bullying and harassment; bomb threats and threats of violence, both serious and false; drug and weapon possession on campus; truancy; and the behaviors of "special needs" students. The appendix provides information for juvenile prosecutors and SRO's, as well as other school personnel, on research and programs that have been successful in reducing youth crime in schools.