NCJ Number
91414
Date Published
1982
Length
0 pages
Annotation
Workshop presentations discuss the definition of the serious juvenile offender, identifying such offenders, and guidelines for using restitution with such offenders.
Abstract
One speaker explores the definitional issues regarding the serious offender, concluding that the severity of an offense will be determined by the value systems and particular crime problems experienced by a given community; however, repetitive offending is considered a serious problem in all communities. One presenter, who is a judge, lists his general criteria for determining a serious offender as related to age, whether the offender acted alone or in a gang, whether the crime occurred at night or in the daytime, and the nature of school performance. It is advised that the prediction of dangerousness is generally not reliable; however the repetition of violent offenses is a strong indication of dangerousness. It is concluded that one violent crime against a person, unless particularly heinous, should not disqualify a juvenile from community-based restitution. Where it is deemed that person should be confined in the interest of protecting the public, it is suggested that restitution might be made a condition for shortening the sentence and be made a part of a work release program. Restitution as a condition of parole is also suggested.