NCJ Number
162228
Journal
Criminal Law Bulletin Volume: 32 Issue: 4 Dated: (July-August 1996) Pages: 342-357
Date Published
1996
Length
16 pages
Annotation
Therapeutic jurisprudence, a perspective that looks at the law itself as a potential therapeutic agent, is applied to teen courts.
Abstract
Legal rules, legal procedures, and roles of lawyers and judges often have therapeutic or antitherapeutic consequences. Therapeutic jurisprudence asks whether therapeutic consequences can be enhanced without sacrificing due process interests. Teen courts represent an excellent example of therapeutic jurisprudence in practice. They focus on changing the future behavior of defendants and can be effective in deterring and rehabilitating young people who commit minor crimes. The principal player targeted by the therapeutic jurisprudence process is clearly the defendant, although jurors, teen attorneys, and victims are also likely to be affected by the process. Statistics indicate that recidivism rates from teen courts are impressively low. The introduction of victim rights into teen court operations is discussed, particularly with respect to victim compensation, victim satisfaction, and victim impact. Ways to strengthen the therapeutic and rehabilitative potential of teen courts are proposed. 57 footnotes