NCJ Number
86807
Date Published
1982
Length
21 pages
Annotation
The Juvenile Continuing Offender Program (JCOP) of Colorado Springs, Colo, would benefit from having a smaller number of cases and from having the program data computerized.
Abstract
The program was funded through the Colorado Springs Police Department's Integrated Criminal Apprehensive Program enhancement grant. The JCOP was patterned after the career criminal program because juvenile offenders are responsible for a very large proportion of the offenses handled by police officers. The program sought to identify the juvenile offenders and their repeated involvement with law enforcement. Using a point system, the juvenile records of existing career criminals were scored. Potential career criminal files were thus established. If the juvenile is already a continuing offender, the case coordinator marks the file to indicate this status. The file is given to the investigator who transmits it to the Office of the District Attorney upon his completion of the case and referral. Every effort is made to expedite JCOP cases through the judicial system, and every effort is made to keep the suspect in custody. Transfers of the juvenile to adult court are pursued where appropriate. Despite agreement to this plan, police personnel continue to be dissatisfied with the length of time required to receive a disposition and with the types of dispositions received. The district attorney's office, on the other hand, is reported to be critical of the number of cases processed as JCOPers. The office states that the volume has caused their workload to be impossible to process in the manner intended. A juvenile record summary and a criminal history form are appended.