NCJ Number
54481
Date Published
1976
Length
358 pages
Annotation
STATISTICAL AND OTHER DATA ON THE JUVENILE JUSTICE SYSTEM IN TEXAS FOR CALENDAR YEAR 1976 ARE PRESENTED ALONG WITH A BRIEF OVERVIEW OF THE TEXAS JUVENILE JUSTICE SYSTEM AND RECENT DEVELOPMENTS AFFECTING IT.
Abstract
THE FIRST JUVENILE COURT LEGISLATION WAS PASSED IN TEXAS IN 1907. IN 1943, THE STATE LEGISLATURE REPEALED ALL ADULT CRIMINAL PROCEDURES IN JUVENILE CASES AND REPLACED THEM WITH SPECIAL CIVIL PROCEDURES. A FAMILY CODE WAS ADOPTED BY THE STATE LEGISLATURE IN 1973. TITLE 3 OF THIS CODE ATTEMPTS TO BRING TOGETHER IN ONE BODY OF LAW ALL PERTINENT LAWS THAT ESTABLISH AND CLARIFY THE JURISDICTION OF COURTS OVER JUVENILE OFFENDERS. THE TEXAS YOUTH COUNCIL, CREATED IN 1957, ADMINISTERS THE STATE'S JUVENILE CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTIONS AND HOMES FOR DEPENDENT AND NEGLECTED CHILDREN. SERVICES AVAILABLE TO JUVENILE COURTS IN TEXAS INCLUDE PHYSICAL AND PSYCHIATRIC/PSYCHOLOGICAL EXAMINATION, PSYCHIATRIC/PSYCHOLOGICAL THERAPY, VOCATIONAL TRAINING AND PLACEMENT, EMERGENCY SHELTER, FOSTER HOMES, HALFWAY HOUSES, AND COUNSELING. JUVENILE COURT PROCEDURES ARE DETAILED. PROCEEDINGS INVOLVING CHILDREN WITH MENTAL ILLNESS, RETARDATION, DISEASE, OR DEFECT ARE ALSO DESCRIBED. ACTS OF THE 65TH LEGISLATURE AND 1976 TEXAS COURT DECISIONS AFFECTING THE JUVENILE JUSTICE SYSTEM IN TEXAS ARE REVIEWED. STATISTICAL TABLES MAKE UP MOST OF THE REPORT. THEY INCLUDE AN ANALYSIS OF JUVENILE COURT ACTIVITY AND DETAILED STATISTICS OF JUVENILE PROBATION BY COUNTY AND DISTRICT AND COUNTY COURTS. DATA DESCRIBE THE NUMBER AND SOURCE OF REFERRALS TO JUVENILE COURT; FAMILY, RESIDENCE, AND ACADEMIC STATUS OF REFERRED CHILDREN; RACE, ETHNIC BACKGROUND, SEX, AGE, AND ALLEGED OFFENSE OF REFERRED CHILDREN; CHILDREN DETAINED IN NONSECURE AND SECURE FACILITIES; ALLEGED OFFENSE OF CHILDREN IN NEED OF SUPERVISION; AND LENGTH OF REFERRED CHILDREN'S STAY IN SECURE DETENTION FACILITIES. JUVENILE COURT ACTIVITY IN DISTRICT AND COUNTY COURTS IS CONSIDERED IN TERMS OF THE NUMBER OF CASES ON THE DOCKET, NUMBER OF DISPOSITIONS, CASES PENDING, AND DISPOSITIONS. A DIRECTORY OF JUVENILE COURT AUTHORITIES LISTS THE PRIMARY JUVENILE COURT JUDGE, CHIEF JUVENILE PROBATION OFFICER, AND PROBATION OFFICERS WITH A JUVENILE CASE LOAD IN EACH OF THE 254 COUNTIES IN TEXAS. (DEP)