NCJ Number
68875
Date Published
Unknown
Length
16 pages
Annotation
JUVENILE INTAKE PROGRAMS WERE COMPARED IN ORDER TO ASSESS THE EFFECT OF DIVERSION ON VICTIMS' ATTITUDES TOWARD THE JUSTICE SYSTEM AND TO DEVELOP A PROFILE OF VICTIMS OF JUVENILE MISDEMEANORS.
Abstract
IN THE COMMUNITY ARBITRATION PROGRAM, WHICH EMPHASIZES ADEQUATE EVIDENCE AND VICTIM RESTITUTION, A LAWYER CONDUCTS A HEARING WITH BOTH VICTIM AND OFFENDER BEING PRESENT IN A COURT-LIKE SETTING. IN A TRADITIONAL INTAKE PROGRAM, VICTIMS AND OFFENDERS ARE INTERVIEWED SEPARATELY IN A OFFICE BY A CASEWORKER. OVER A 6-MONTH PERIOD, JUVENILE MISDEMEANOR CASES WERE SYSTEMATICALLY ASSIGNED TO ONE OF THE TWO INTAKE PROGRAMS. DATA WAS COLLECTED FROM 48 VICTIMS SURVEYED FOLLOWING THE HEARING AND 41 VICTIMS WHO RESPONDED TO THE MAILED QUESTIONNAIRE. DATA SHOW THAT THE AVERAGE VICTIM WAS 35.6-YEARS OLD, EMPLOYED IN A CLERICAL OR SALES OCCUPATION, AND HAD A HIGH SCHOOL EDUCATION. SLIGHTLY OVER HALF WERE MALE, AND MOST WERE WHITE, MARRIED, AND HAD LITTLE PREVIOUS CONTACT WITH THE JUVENILE COURT SYSTEM. MOST VICTIMS REPORTED A MINOR INJURY OR MONETARY LOSS UNDER $500. AN ANALYSIS OF RESPONSE BEHAVIOR SHOWED THAT VICTIMS OF OLDER OFFENDERS TENDED TO RESPOND MORE FREQUENTLY THAN VICTIMS OF YOUNGER OFFENDERS. THE STUDY FOUND NO DIFFERENCES IN ATTRIBUTES BETWEEN VICTIMS INVOLVED IN THE TWO INTAKE PROGRAMS, INDICATING THAT INCREASED DIVERSION OF MISDEMEANOR YOUTHS FROM FORMAL COURTS AND INCREASED DENIAL OF CASES BASED ON INSUFFICIENT EVIDENCE DO NOT IMPACT NEGATIVELY ON VICTIM PERCEPTION OF THE JUSTICE SYSTEM. FOOTNOTES AND A BIBLIOGRAPHY OF APPROXIMATELY 17 REFERENCES ARE INCLUDED.