NCJ Number
210022
Editor(s)
Lourdes M. Rosado
Date Published
June 2000
Length
76 pages
Annotation
This second of six modules in a Juvenile Court Training Curriculum is designed to develop participants' techniques for effectively interviewing juveniles involved in the court system, whether they are defendants, witnesses, or victims.
Abstract
The module first reviews the unique aspects of adolescent development that have implications for interviewing adolescents, notably limitations in cognitive capacities, present-oriented thinking, egocentricity, and perceptions of authority figures. The module then guides participants in conducting interviews that use techniques geared to the characteristics of adolescent development, such as techniques for putting the juvenile at ease and developing rapport, conveying a nonjudgmental demeanor, obtaining the maximum amount of information in a limited time frame, and defusing an angry teen. The module also contains sections on interviewing special adolescent populations, namely, adolescents who are depressed, younger adolescents (ages 11-13), and adolescents who have been sexually assaulted/abused. The latter section discusses why teens may be unwilling to disclose sexual assault/abuse, factors that contribute to the disclosure of sexual abuse, strategies for establishing rapport and obtaining information, and how to close the interview. Appended scripts for role plays, a small group exercise worksheet, and instruction sheets for interview role plays.