NCJ Number
14105
Journal
Juvenile Justice Volume: 24 Issue: 2 Dated: (AUGUST 1973) Pages: 3-16
Date Published
1973
Length
14 pages
Annotation
CHANGES IN KENTUCKY'S JUVENILE COURT STATUTE DEFINING THE RIGHTS, RESPONSIBILITIES, AND OPTIONS WITHIN THE SYSTEM IN RESPONSE TO THE MODERN JUVENILE COURT REVOLUTION.
Abstract
CHANGES IN KENTUCKY'S JUVENILE COURT STATUTE ARE CONCENTRATED ON PROPOSED AMENDMENTS WHICH WOULD PROVIDE FOR A GREATER UTILIZATION OF THE INFORMAL ADJUSTMENT AS A PROBLEM-SOLVING DEVICE, ENCOURAGING A MORE EFFECTIVE USE OF THE TALENTS AND ENERGIES OF PRIVATE CITIZENS AND PROFESSIONAL SOCIAL WORKERS. THESE CHANGES WILL SUBSTANTIALLY REDUCE THE SIZE OF THE DOCKET IN THE ORDINARY JUVENILE COURT, DECRIMINALIZE THE HANDLING OF MINOR OFFENSES AND SAVE NUMEROUS CHILDREN FROM THE TRAUMA OF PROSECUTION FOR INSIGNIFICANT INFRACTIONS OF THE LAW, ADD CONSTITUTIONALLY REQUIRED FORMALITIES TO SERIOUS PROCEDDINGS AND CURTAIL THE USE OF ANY ENFORCEABLE AUTHORITY IN THE ABSENCE OF SUCH FORMALITIES. COMMENTS ARE MADE ON CHANGES IN THE AREAS OF PROBATION AND PLACEMENT, PRE-HEARING DETENTION FACILITIES, INFORMAL ADJUSTMENTS (USED FOR ADJUDICATION OF INSIGNIFICANT CASES), INAPPROPRIATE CONTACTS (SCREENS OUT UNWARRANTED FORMAL EXPOSURE TO THE JUDICIAL PROCESS), COMMUNITY INTEREST, SOCIAL SERVICES, INSTITUTIONAL SERVICES, AND CASE LOADS.