NCJ Number
25732
Date Published
1973
Length
0 pages
Annotation
FILM ANALYZING THE JUVENILE COURT SYSTEM, THE ADJUDICATION PROCESS, PROBLEMS IN CORRECTIONAL FACILITIES, THE RIGHTS OF THE CHILD, AND ALTERNATIVES TO INCARCERATION.
Abstract
THE JUVENILE COURT SYSTEM OF ATLANTA, GEORGIA, WHICH IS CONSIDERED CHARACTERISTIC OF SYSTEMS IN OTHER STATES, IS USED AS THE BASIS FOR THE CONSIDERATIONS AND CONCLUSIONS. INTERVIEWS WITH SEVERAL PSYCHIATRISTS SUGGEST THAT MANY FORMS OF DELINQUENT BEHAVIOR, SUCH AS REPEATED OFFENSES BY THE VERY YOUNG, ARE ACTUALLY PLEAS OF A SICK CHILD FOR HELP AND THAT FORMAL COURT ACTION, SUCH AS DETENTION, ONLY AGGRAVATES THESE BEHAVIOR PROBLEMS. THE FILM PRESENTS DETAILS OF THE CASE OF A TEN-YEAR OLD ATLANTA YOUTH, WHOSE REPEATED ROCK THROWING PROMPTED NEIGHBORS TO TAKE ACTION. THE CASE IS USED TO SHOW HOW THE COURT SYSTEM MAY SEEK OTHER ALTERNATIVES, SUCH AS TEMPORARY DETENTION IN A HOME FOR YOUNG AND ABUSIVE CHILDREN, PROBATION, OR OTHER RESTRICTION OF ACTIVITIES, RATHER THAN IMMEDIATE COMMITMENT TO A REFORM SCHOOL. INTERVIEWS WITH PERSONNEL FROM A REFORM SCHOOL IN ATLANTA REPEATEDLY CITE PROBLEMS SUCH AS OVERCROWDING AND HOMOSEXUALITY. THE FILM GIVES HIGHLIGHTS OF AN ACTUAL DISPOSITIONAL HEARING IN THE CASE OF A JUVENILE. THE NARRATOR POINTS OUT THE ROLE OF THE PARENTS IN HELPING TO DETERMINE THE OUTCOME OF THE CASE. COMMENTS ARE ALSO MADE ON THE RIGHTS OF THE JUVENILE AND THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE COURT TO DETERMINE THE BEST ACTION TO TAKE IN THE INTEREST OF THE CHILD. (SNI ABSTRACT)