NCJ Number
119877
Date Published
Unknown
Length
16 pages
Annotation
This pamphlet explains the conceptual basis for the role of juvenile courts in the Serious Habitual Offender Comprehensive Action Program (SHOCAP), an effort to help jurisdictions identify and appropriately respond to the serious habitual juvenile offender.
Abstract
SHOCAP is based on the premises and principles of the Integrated Criminal Apprehension Program (ICAP). SHOCAP can increase the quality and relevance of information provided to juvenile justice and criminal justice authorities and enables them to focus additional attention on juveniles who repeatedly commit serious crimes. Particular emphasis is placed on providing relevant and complete case information to insure more informed sentencing. SHOCAP expands the interagency model established in 1983 to include more information sharing for use in planning, managing, and delivering services more effectively. Juvenile court judges and referees have preferred to remain outside the process of developing criteria and lists of serious habitual offenders, because they wish to avoid involvement that might cause questions regarding their objectivity. However, the chief judge of a court may express support for the program and authorize the sharing of information. Particularly useful approaches include authorizing the inspection of records by the crime analyst or other officials designated to develop and maintain profiles of habitual offenders; refraining from the sealing or destruction of the juvenile records of any designated habitual offender; and placing limits on deferred adjudication based on diversion or nonjudicial handling. These strategies are attainable, and growing evidence suggests that judges recognize the contribution such approaches would make to the control of repeat offenders and reduced crime.