JUVENILE AND THE SYSTEM (FROM JUVENILE JUSTICE - THE HUMAN DIMENSION - HIGHLIGHTS OF THE PROCEEDINGS, 1978, BY LADY BROWN AND JUNE BERRY - SEE NCJ-50131)

• NCJ Number: 50138
• Author(s): R F LEONARD
• Date Published: 1978
• Length: 4 pages
• Corporate Author: Junior League of Lubbock, Inc; Texas Cmtte for the Humanities and Public Policy; National Endowment for the Humanities
• Publication Format: Document
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

INJUSTICES AND FAULTS APPARENT WITHIN THE JUVENILE JUSTICE SYSTEM ARE DISCUSSED. DIVERSION, USE OF COMMUNITY RESOURCES, AND DECRIMINALIZATION ARE SUGGESTED.

Abstract

MANY YOUTH WHO ENTER THE JUVENILE JUSTICE SYSTEM DEVELOP CYNICAL ATTITUDES TOWARDS THE SYSTEM DUE TO ITS INEFFECTIVENESS AND INEQUALITY IN DEALING WITH THEIR PROBLEMS. IN THE CASE OF A STATUS OFFENSE, THE CHILD MAY BE PUNISHED FOR RUNNING AWAY, WHILE THE PARENT OR ANOTHER ADULT ASSOCIATED WITH THE CHILD IS THE ACTUAL OFFENDER. THE DISCRETION OF THE COURT AND LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES CAN RESULT IN UNFAIR TREATMENT OF JUVENILES. IT WOULD BE BETTER, EXCEPT IN CASES INVOLVING SERIOUS CRIME, TO DEAL WITH DELINQUENTS OUTSIDE THE SYSTEM. DECRIMINALIZATION OF MARIHUANA POSSESSION IS RECOMMENDED SINCE YOUNG PERSONS ENTERING THE SYSTEM ON CHARGES OF POSSESSION ARE OFTEN ALIENATED FROM THE LAW. (DAG)