NCJ Number
100227
Journal
Justice Quarterly Volume: 2 Issue: 4 Dated: (December 1985) Pages: 553-565
Date Published
1985
Length
13 pages
Annotation
This study examines the effects on case outcomes and case processing time of setting cases for trial in a court that permits jury trials for juveniles.
Abstract
Study data were drawn from an analysis of the cases of 710 youths for whom delinquency petitions were filed in a suburban court in 1980. Of these youths, 94 had cases set for trial and 7 went to trial. A partial correlation analysis indicates no significant association between setting a case for trial and either adjudication or final disposition, even when other factors were held constant. Setting a case for trial, however, significantly increased case processing times. Cases set for trial took almost twice the time of other cases in moving from filing to adjudication. Findings indicate that policymakers should examine how to minimize unnecessary trial setting and its negative effects so as to maintain the right to jury trial without prolonged case processing. Tabular data and 15 references.