NCJ Number
95497
Date Published
1980
Length
32 pages
Annotation
Florida's diversion of certain juvenile cases from the juvenile justice system into a juvenile arbitration/mediation program is working fairly smoothly, but program procedures need refining.
Abstract
Florida's juvenile mediation/arbitration programs use a combination of dispute resolution techniques in handling various types of disputes, with the most frequent being criminal mischief, battery, marijuana possession, trespass, and theft. Cases are referred to the programs from the Department of Health and Rehabilitative Services or a local social service agency. The complainants are usually law enforcement officials, businesses, friends, neighbors, and schools. Once a complaint is made, the average time for processing cases to a hearing is 13.7 days, and 85.6 percent of the cases have resulted in a hearing. Hearing agreements designate substantive obligations for the Juveniles in 97.7 percent of the cases. Juvenile program participants are typically 16-year-old white males living with both parents. A study of three representative juvenile mediation/arbitration programs reveals both strengths and weaknesses. Procedures should be refined by modifying the current Community Arbitration Program Act. In addition, the establishment of uniform programmatic guidelines and better coordination between the various programs are needed. The Florida Juvenile Arbitration Statute is appended. Tables profiling participants and case processing are included.