NCJ Number
180732
Journal
Juvenile and Family Court Journal Volume: 50 Issue: 4 Dated: Fall 1999 Pages: 3-8
Date Published
1999
Length
6 pages
Annotation
This article reviews the history of the juvenile court from its founding 100 years ago to changes in subsequent decades and its role today.
Abstract
Juvenile court jurisdiction varies from State to State. The continuing expansion of the jurisdiction of juvenile courts over more and more of the issues and problems of children and families has led legislatures to rename these courts as juvenile and domestic relations courts, family courts, or juvenile and family courts. Major accomplishments of the juvenile court are the establishment of a separate court for children that recognizes their developmental distinction from adults and the evolution of this institution from that of a children's court to that of a family court. Other major accomplishments include the juvenile court's use of individualized justice through consideration of each child as a unique human being; the introduction of the medical model, which focuses on the need for diagnosis and treatment in dealing with the disposition of a court case; and the development of alternative methods for resolving legal proceedings. Further accomplishments include the innovation of the juvenile and family courts in turning away from institutions and toward families and the leadership and lasting influence of the early juvenile court judges. The National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges has recommended that judges be involved in the community, advocate for the development of resources, and take other actions to improve juvenile courts. Court systems now face numerous challenges that will require multispeciality, multiagency collaboration with involvement of courts and communities to help the country's children.