HANDLING CASES OF JUVENILES, 2 - PREVENTION MEASURES, PROSECUTION, AND HANDLING TIME

• NCJ Number: 49460
• Author(s): ANON
• Date Published: 1977
• Length: 167 pages
• Corporate Author: Brottsforebyggande Radet
• Sale Source: Brottsforebyggande Radet
• Country: Sweden

Annotation

FOLLOWING A REVIEW OF ACTIVITIES AND RESEARCH DIRECTED AT PREVENTION OF CRIME AMONG SWEDISH YOUTH, THE 1964 LAW CONCERNING PROSECUTION OF JUVENILES AND A STUDY ON CASE-PROCESSING TIME ARE DISCUSSED.

Abstract

A LARGE NUMBER OF RESEARCH ACTIVITIES AND EXPERIMENTAL WORK CONDUCTED IN SWEDEN IN THE 1970'S HAS BEEN DIRECTED AT JUVENILE CRIME PREVENTION. THEY INCLUDE DISSEMINATION OF SOCIAL INFORMATION AND SERVICES, AN INCREASE IN SOCIAL WORK DIRECTED AT SUPPORTING FAMILIES, ESTABLISHMENT OF A GOVERNMENT COMMITTEE ON CHILDREN, AND DEVELOPMENT OF POLICE-DIRECTED ACTIVITIES IN SCHOOLS. IN 1964, A LAW WAS PASSED PROVIDING FOR THE PROCESSING OF JUVENILES BY THE SOCIAL WELFARE BOARD IN THE EVENT THAT THE CENTRAL SOCIAL COMMITTEE CONCLUDED THAT PROSECUTION WAS NECESSARY. CHILDREN UNDER THE AGE OF 15 ARE IMMUNE FROM PROSECUTION IN MOST CIRCUMSTANCES, SO THE 1964 LAW PERTAINS TO CHILDREN BETWEEN 15 AND 18. IF THE CENTRAL SOCIAL COMMITTEE DECIDES THAT THE OFFENSE WAS COMMITTED ON IMPULSE OR OUT OF MISCHIEVOUSNESS RATHER THAN A TENDENCY TOWARDS CRIMINAL BEHAVIOR, THE COMMITTEE CAN DIVERT THE YOUTH BEFORE THE PROSECUTION PROCESS BEGINS. FROM 1975-1976, A STUDY WAS CONDUCTED IN 5 SWEDISH COMMUNITIES TO DETERMINE HOW THE 1964 LAW HAD AFFECTED THE SPEEDY AND EFFECTIVE RESPONSE OF THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM TOWARDS JUVENILES. IT WAS FOUND THAT MOST OFFENDERS HAD THEIR FIRST HEARING WITHIN 3 DAYS AFTER THE CRIME WAS COMMITTED, THE AVERAGE TIME FOR A POLICE INVESTIGATION WAS BETWEEN 15 AND 21 DAYS, THE PROSECUTION PROCESSING TIME WAS BETWEEN 8-14 DAYS, AND APPEALS TOOK ABOUT 46-60 DAYS. SUGGESTIONS ARE PRESENTED FOR INCREASING THE SIMPLICITY AND EFFECTIVENESS OF JUVENILE PROCESSING. IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT POLICE CONDUCT SEVERAL INVESTIGATIONS CONCURRENTLY, SEVERAL DISCUSSION SESSIONS BE HELD AMONG THE OFFENDER'S PARENTS, MEMBERS OF THE SOCIAL WELFARE COMMITTEE, AND THE POLICE BEFORE THE TRIAL, AND PROSECUTION PROCEEDINGS BE MADE THE RESPONSIBILITY OF LOCAL AUTHORITIES. TABULAR DATA, A SAMPLE INTAKE FORM, AND A BIBLIOGRAPHY ARE INCLUDED. --IN SWEDISH. (DAG)