NCJ Number
112261
Journal
Australian and New Zealand Journal of Criminology Volume: 21 Issue: 1 Dated: (March 1988) Pages: 5-19
Date Published
1988
Length
15 pages
Annotation
This 1985 survey of 104 incarcerated youth and 114 community youth, ages 15 to 24, in South East Queensland, Australia, examined their knowledge of, use of, and satisfaction with legal service; identified legal needs; and assessed barriers to meetings legal needs.
Abstract
Results indicate that a significant number of youth encountered legal problems and dealt with them via the traditional conventions of casework. Unfortunately, these services fell short of meeting youths' needs. Young people experienced a distinct pattern of legal needs because of the social tasks of their life cycle phase and the narrow, problem-specific nature of legal services. Legal problems of respondents extended well beyond the criminal justice and child welfare systems. Young people experienced a wide range of problems associated with their rights in relation to key social institutions (family, education, consumer market, child welfare, labor market, and criminal justice system). With the exception of criminal, family, and motor vehicle accident problems, there was limited recourse to legal assistance for remedies. Young people's perceptions of lawyers, the legal system, and the law were among barriers identified. The unavailability of services relevant and appropriate to the legal problems of youth represents a major structural barrier to the fulfillment of this group's legal needs. 2 notes, 5 tables, and 24 references.