NCJ Number
54046
Journal
PROBATION AND PAROLE Issue: 9 Dated: (FALL 1977) Pages: 7-17
Date Published
1977
Length
11 pages
Annotation
THE ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY, MD., COMMUNITY ARBITRATION PROGRAM IS DESCRIBED AS AN EXAMPLE OF 'CREATIVE JUSTICE' FOR JUVENILE OFFENDERS. THE PLAN INCLUDES ARBITRATION FOR MINOR OFFENSES, RESTITUTION, AND COMMUNITY SERVICE.
Abstract
AFTER AN OVERVIEW OF THE PROBLEMS ASSOCIATED WITH THE RISING AMOUNT OF JUVENILE CRIME, THE TRADITIONAL JUVENILE COURT RESPONSE IS CALLED COUNTERPRODUCTIVE BECAUSE IT CLOGS TRADITIONAL COURT HEARINGS WITH STATUS OFFENDERS AND MINOR OFFENDERS, LEAVING LITTLE TIME TO HANDLE SERIOUS OFFENDERS. THE THERAPEUTIC MODEL IS ALSO MISUSED, SUBJECTING YOUNG OFFENDERS TO MORE INTERVENTION IN THEIR LIVES THAN THE OFFENSE WARRANTS. AT THE SAME TIME, LITTLE EFFORT IS MADE TO COMPENSATE THE VICTIM. THE ANNE ARUNDEL PROGRAM STARTED WITH FOUR OBJECTIVES: TO REDUCE THE TIME SPENT HANDLING A MISDEMEANOR CASE FROM 4-6 WEEKS TO 5 WORKING DAYS, TO QUICKLY INVOLVE YOUTHS IN VOLUNTEER WORK AND GIVE THEM A POSITIVE EXPERIENCE, TO LET VICTIMS SEE THAT SOMETHING IS DONE TO CORRECT THE YOUTH AND IMPRESS UPON THE OFFENDER THAT THE OFFENSE IS IMPORTANT, AND TO MAKE AN IMPACT ON THE OFFENDER THROUGH A QUASI-COURTROOM SETTING. AN ARBITRATOR WORKS OUT EITHER A WARNING, RESTITUTION, OR A COMMUNITY VOLUNTEER SENTENCE FOR ALL YOUTHS FOUND GUILTY OF A MISDEMEANOR. DURING THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1975 THE PROGRAM INVOLVED 500 YOUTH IN 1,117 HOURS OF VOLUNTEER WORK; 170 COMPLETED 45-DAY SUPERVISION FOR COUNSELING REFERRAL; 81 COMPLETED COURSES ON MINI-BIKE SAFETY, OR DRIVER REHABILITATION; AND 83 MADE RESTITUTION. THE MAJOR PROBLEMS HAVE BEEN LACK OF COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT IN THE ARBITRATION AND LACK OF FOLLOWUP DURING THE COMMUNITY SERVICE SENTENCE. IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT THESE PROBLEMS BE REMEDIED AND THE PROGRAM BE CONTINUED. AN EXTENSIVE BIBLIOGRAPHY IS INCLUDED. (GLR)