FEASIBILITY STUDY OF OFFENDER PARTICIPATION IN THE DISPOSITIONAL DECISION OF THE JUVENILE COURT

• NCJ Number: 121
• Author(s): O R BUCHWALTER; S B FORMAN
• Date Published: 1969
• Length: 120 pages
• Grant Number(s): NI-69-092
• Sponsoring Agency: US Dept of Justice; US Dept of Justice NIJ Pub
• Corporate Author: Research Analysis Corporation
• Sale Source: National Institute of Justice/
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

THE ADVANTAGES OF JUVENILE OFFENDER PARTICIPATION IN THE DISPOSITIONAL DECISION-MAKING PROCESS IS DEMONSTRATED.

Abstract

THE STUDY WAS CONDUCTED IN COOPERATION WITH THE FAIRFAX COUNTY JUVENILE AND DOMESTIC RELATIONS COURT. IT FINDS THAT JUVENILE PARTICIPATION IN THE DECISION-MAKING DISPOSITIONAL PROCESS IS FEASIBLE AT THREE PROPOSED POINTS - A) INITIAL COURT HEARING, B) DISPOSITIONAL HEARING, AND C) BEGINNING OF PROBATION. THE QUESTIONNAIRE SENT TO THE YOUTHS RELATING TO THEIR ATTITUDES IS INCLUDED. PURPOSE OF THE PROPOSED PARTICIPATION IS TO GIVE THE JUVENILE SOME DIGNITY BY LETTING HIM PARTICIPATE IN THE DECISION-MAKING, AND TO AID REHABILITATION SINCE THE YOUTH WILL NOT CONSIDER HIMSELF TREATED UNFAIRLY. THE JUDGE'S DECISION IS PERCEIVED BY THE JUVENILE AS FAIRER WHEN HE PARTICIPATES IN HELPING TO REACH IT. THE JUVENILE PERCEIVES THAT THE JUDGE HAS TAKEN A PERSONAL INTEREST IN HIM AND THE JUDICIAL PROCEDURE BECOMES LESS MECHANICAL.