NCJ Number
87467
Date Published
1981
Length
52 pages
Annotation
This report examines State juvenile codes relevant to the emotionally disturbed in terms of their purpose and legislative intent, provisions for evaluations to determine special needs, and dispositional latitude afforded juvenile courts.
Abstract
Legislative recognition of mentally ill offenders extends only to those juveniles commitable under the involuntary commitment standards of mental health laws. Because of deinstitutionalization policies and procedural requirements for involuntary commitments, juveniles with a lesser degree of emotional disturbance are being kept in the juvenile justice system as opposed to the mental health system. Case decisions regarding the emotionally disturbed juvenile tend to require more due process and the provision of individualized care and treatment. Case processing recommendations are made. A table of cases and 13 references are included. (Author summary modified)