NCJ Number
233444
Date Published
December 2009
Length
16 pages
Annotation
Intended for juvenile court judges, defense attorneys, prosecutors, and probation staff, this second edition of the Juvenile Court Training Curriculum provides in-depth training materials on the most up-to-date adolescent development research and its application to juvenile court practice.
Abstract
The goal of module 1 is for participants to develop a working knowledge of key aspects of adolescent development, as well as to learn how to apply this knowledge to their decisionmaking at critical junctures in the juvenile court process. The goal of module 2 is to provide juvenile justice professionals with the information necessary to request and use forensic evaluations of youth in juvenile court. In addition, the module familiarizes participants with screening and assessment instruments used with youth, as well as the confidentiality issues that arise when youth provide information to evaluators. Module 3 reviews special education and disability legislation, with an emphasis on juvenile court and juvenile justice. Module 4 assists participants in understanding legal questions in delinquency cases that require information about youths' capacities. It also addresses relevant behavioral and social science research that is useful for addressing these questions, and it fosters an appreciation of the nature of forensic evaluations performed by mental health examiners in addressing youths' capacities related to legal issues. Module 5 instructs participants in techniques for effective communication with youth involved in the juvenile court system, including respondents, witnesses, and complaining witnesses.