Importance of Timely Case Processing in Non-Detained Juvenile Delinquency Cases

• NCJ Number: 215402
• Author(s): Gene Siegel; Gregg Halemba
• Date Published: July 2006
• Length: 16 pages
• Grant Number(s): 2005-JL-FX-K184
• Sponsoring Agency: Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP)
• Corporate Author: National Ctr for Juvenile Justice
• Sale Source: National Ctr for Juvenile Justice
• Publication Format: Document
• Publication Type: Report (Technical Assistance)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: Technical Assistance to the Juvenile Court Bulletin, July 2006.

Annotation

This bulletin presents a number of examples of promising practices and programs that can help juvenile courts expedite the processing of cases that involve youth who have not been detained.

Abstract

The rapid case processing of nondetained youth is important for disrupting the potential development of habitual delinquent behavior. Research cited in this bulletin reveals that many subsequent referrals of juveniles for delinquent behavior occur before the juvenile justice system has dealt with the initial or preceding referral. This suggests the need to reduce key case processing time frames. Using relevant baseline information, a court can set strategic planning targets, case processing time goals, and other performance criteria that can increase the speed of case handling and improve outcomes. The Juvenile Delinquency Guidelines (JDG), recently prepared by the National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges, emphasizes timely response at all stages of case processing, including those stages that precede or do not involve formal court involvement. The stages addressed in the JDG are arrest/referral, intake screening, informal processing, formal processing, and disposition. Based on the JDG recommendations, this bulletin discusses how to address caseload backlogs and how to define "timely" case processing and identify and obtain the data required to measure it. A model for setting case processing time standards is presented, followed by descriptions of some realistic and affordable options for juvenile courts to consider in expediting the processing of nondetained juveniles. The options pertain to youth courts; accountability boards, community justice committees, and community courts; timely intervention for status offenders; school-based intake probation officers; fast-track diversion; juvenile assessment centers; mental health system liaisons; and expedited dockets. The bulletin concludes with descriptions of seven basic steps for improving timely court processing of nondetained delinquency cases. 34 notes