NCJ Number
78025
Date Published
Unknown
Length
0 pages
Annotation
Focusing on Missouri's juvenile court system, this public interest film depicts the judge's role in juvenile court through scenes of an actual case.
Abstract
The judge's role in juvenile court is viewed as important to the people involved and to society. Procedures are informal, although some formality is incorporated to be impressive to the juvenile. In this case, the judge advises the juvenile of his rights, and witnesses are called to testify as to the juvenile's presence at the scene of the crime. The judge hears 8 hours of evidence before he sentences the juvenile to probation, with the threat of being sent to training school if further misbehavior is proven. It is suggested that the juvenile court must appreciate the social and legal rights of children and that more reforms are needed in the system, particularly regarding the rights of poor and minority families.