NCJ Number
58230
Date Published
1979
Length
6 pages
Annotation
THE PIMA COUNTY (ARIZ.) JUVENILE COURT'S EFFORTS TO END DISCRIMINATION AGAINST FEMALE JUVENILES AND TO REMOVE CASES INVOLVING NONCRIMINAL BEHAVIOR FROM ITS JURISDICTION ARE DESCRIBED.
Abstract
THE DISCUSSION OPENS WITH COMMENTS ON THE CHANGING STRUCTURE OF THE FAMILY UNIT AND IMPLICATIONS OF THE CHANGE FOR WOMEN, CHILDREN, AND THE JUVENILE JUSTICE SYSTEM. THAT JUVENILE COURTS HAVE LESS INTEREST IN REHABILITATING JUVENILES THAN IN FORCING THEM TO CONFORM TO ADULT STANDARDS OF BEHAVIOR, AT LEAST IN THE CASE OF STATUS OFFENSES, IS POINTED OUT. THE PIMA COUNTY JUVENILE COURT'S DISCOVERY THAT IT WAS ENFORCING A DOUBLE STANDARD OF JUSTICE FOR MALES AND FEMALES IS DESCRIBED. IT WAS FOUND THAT MOST FEMALES WERE REFERRED TO THE COURT FOR NONCRIMINAL ACTS, WERE LOCKED UP FOR LONGER PERIODS THAN MALES, REMAINED ON PROBATION FOR LONGER PERIODS, AND, WHEN REMOVED FROM THEIR HOMES, WERE NOT RETURNED AS QUICKLY AS MALES. THE COURT'S EFFORTS TO REMEDY THE SITUATION, THROUGH PROJECTS AIMED AT DEINSTITUTIONALIZING STATUS OFFENDERS AND THROUGH ATTEMPTS TO INFLUENCE PUBLIC POLICIES AFFECTING YOUNG WOMEN, ARE OUTLINED. THE COURT'S LARGEST PROJECT WAS A PROGRAM OF DIRECT SERVICES AND ADVOCACY FOR YOUNG WOMEN. REFORMS THAT ARE NECESSARY IF THE JUVENILE JUSTICE SYSTEM IS TO GUIDE YOUTHS TOWARD HEALTY GROWTH, SELF-RELIANCE, AND RESPONSIBILITY ARE NOTED, AS IS THE NEED TO SOLVE FUNDAMENTAL SOCIETAL PROBLEMS THAT ENGENDER DELINQUENCY. IT IS NOTED THAT THE PIMA COUNTY JUVENILE COURT HAS RESOLVED TO REMOVE FAMILY CONFLICTS, EDUCATIONAL FAILURE, ADJUSTMENTS TO ADOLESCENT DEVELOPMENT, AND ALL NONCRIMINAL BEHAVIOR FROM ITS JURISDICTION; NOT TO ATTEMPT TO SUPERVISE THE MORALS, MANNERS, HEALTH, AND SEXUALITY OF YOUNG WOMEN; AND TO WORK WITH THE COMMUNITY TO SOLVE THE VERY REAL PROBLEMS OF FEMALES WHO HAVE BEEN LABELED STATUS OFFENDERS. (LKM)