NCJ Number
55788
Journal
CRIME PREVENTION REVIEW Volume: 5 Issue: 2 Dated: (JANUARY 1978) Pages: 15-20
Date Published
1978
Length
6 pages
Annotation
THE LOS ANGELES, CALIF., JUVENILE JUSTICE CENTER, WHICH HOUSES 11 DEPARTMENT RELATED TO JUVENILE JUSTICE IN THE HEART OF THE HIGH-CRIME WATTS AREA, IS DESCRIBED AND ITS ROLE IN THE COMMUNITY IS PRAISED.
Abstract
AN INTRODUCTION POINTS OUT THAT JUVENILE COURTS SERVE A SPECIALIZED FUNCTION QUITE DIFFERENT FROM THE ADULT COURT SYSTEM. IT IS THE JUVENILE COURT'S JOB TO SEE THE YOUNG OFFENDER AS A WHOLE PERSON AND TO TRY TO WORK OUT A CASE DISPOSITION WHICH WILL TAKE ALL OF THE YOUNGSTER'S NEEDS INTO ACCOUNT. THE BEGINNING OF THE JUVENILE JUSTICE CENTER CONCEPT IS DESCRIBED. IT WAS FELT THAT TO BE EFFECTIVE THE JUVENILE COURT MUST BE IN THE OFFENDER'S NEIGHBORHOOD, NOT IN SOME REMOTE BUILDING DOWNTOWN. IT WAS ALSO FELT THAT CASEWORKERS, PROBATION OFFICERS, AND OTHERS ACTIVELY INVOLVED IN JUVENILE SHOULD BE LOCATED IN THIS CENTER TO EFFECTIVELY MEET THE WHOLE NEEDS OF THE YOUNG OFFENDER. THE CENTER OPENED IN MAY 1976 AS A COMMUNITY SHOWPIECE. SCHOOL CHILDREN TAKE TOURS OF THE CENTER AND HOLD MOCK TRIALS. JUDGES GIVE PEP TALKS TO LOCAL SPORTS TEAMS. NEIGHBORHOOD PARENTS DROP IN TO DISCUSS PROBLEMS WITH CASEWORKERS. THE CENTER'S COORDINATOR IN CHARGE OF ADMINISTRATION IS THE CHIEF PROBATION OFFICER AT THE CENTER. HE OR SHE IS RESPONSIBLE TO THE JUVENILE JUSTICE CENTER ADMINISTRATIVE COMMITTEE, CONSISTING OF THE COMMANDING OFFICER OF THE YOUTH SERVICES BUREAU OF THE LOS ANGELES COUNTY SHERIFF, THE COMMANDING OFFICER OF THE JUVENILE DIVISION OF THE LOS ANGELES CITY UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT, THE COORDINATOR AND THE JUDGE AT THE CENTER, WHO CHAIRS THE COMMITTEE. ALL MINORS ARRESTED WHO LIVE IN THE AREA ARE REFERRED TO THE CENTER WHERE A PANEL OF EXPERTS STUDY THEIR SITUATION AND DETERMINE WHAT COURSE OF ACTION TO TAKE. IF THE CHILD IS DIVERTED TO AN OUTSIDE PROGRAM, CENTER STAFF CAN SEE THAT THE CHILD GETS TO THE PROGRAM, AS WELL AS RECEIVE PROGRESS REPORTS, ON THE CHILD AND MONITOR THE PROGRAM'S QUALITY. IF SENT TO COURT, THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY CAN CONFER DIRECTLY WITH CENTER STAFF, THUS SAVING TIME. SINCE THE CENTER PROVIDES CONTINUITY IN LOCAL JUVENILE COURT PROCESSING, YOUTHS MUST FACE THE SAME JUDGE IF THEY RECIDIVATE, A FACT WHICH HAS BEEN FOUND TO HAVE A DETERRENT EFFECT. AN EVALUATION OF THE CENTER FOUND IT TO BE SUCCESSFUL AND RECOMMENDED IT AS A MODEL FOR THE JUVENILE COURTS IN THE REST OF THE CITY. (GLR)