Alternatives to the Juvenile Courts

• NCJ Number: 112856
• Journal: Current Municipal Problems Volume: 14 Issue: 3 Dated: (1988) Pages: 348-352
• Author(s): K Diegmueller
• Date Published: 1988
• Length: 5 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: Reprinted with permission from the March 2, 1987, issue of 'Insight.'

Annotation

In searching for better ways to deal with juvenile crime, some programs emphasize prevention; others, treatment; and some, small community-based facilities. Few experts believe punishment will deter offenses.

Abstract

The juvenile system that has emerged follows three overlapping routes: punishment, rehabilitation, and the combining of the two philosophies. Many jurisdictions use a two-tiered system. At the first offense, an attempt is made to find alternatives to formal processing by the juvenile court. Only if that fails is the juvenile put under supervision similar to probation. In recent years, more juveniles have had their cases transferred to adult criminal courts, but studies indicate that has generally not produced more punitive sentences for the juveniles than if they had been processed in the juvenile court. Experts generally agree that more punitive measures, advocated by those who want a 'get-tough' policy toward juvenile offenders, will not deter juveniles. The effectiveness of many diversionary programs for juveniles, however, suggests this may be the future emphasis for juvenile processing.