NCJ Number
154497
Journal
Journal of Criminal Justice Volume: 23 Issue: 1 Dated: (1995) Pages: 63-82
Date Published
1995
Length
20 pages
Annotation
This study used data from courts in Nebraska for the period between 1982 and 1987 to examine differences in adjudication (delinquent or dismissed) and final disposition (transfer of custody or no transfer of custody) in specialized juvenile courts compared to courts of general jurisdiction hearing cases involving juvenile defendants.
Abstract
In addition to the dependent variables of disposition and adjudication, and the independent variable of court type, extralegal variables included race, sex, and age, while legal variables included seriousness of the instant offense and prior juvenile activity. The results show that court type does affect this stage of the juvenile justice process, where delinquency or nondelinquency is decided. Juveniles tried in courts of mixed jurisdiction were more likely to be convicted than those whose cases were heard in specialized juvenile courts. With respect to adjudication, county courts were harsher than juvenile courts. Differences at the adjudication stage, however, do not necessarily mean that the principle of parens patriae is weakened at this decision point. Parens patriae in fact, may be well served by the attention of county courts to a wider group of youths in need of rehabilitation and social services. 5 tables, 14 notes, and 58 references