NCJ Number
171600
Journal
Prosecutor Volume: 31 Issue: 3 Dated: (May/June 1997) Pages: 27-28,30-32
Date Published
1997
Length
5 pages
Annotation
The 1990s have produced an epidemic of creativity and innovation in juvenile codes in the United States, from the restructuring of purpose clauses to prevention and intervention and disposition of violent juvenile offenders.
Abstract
Recent legislative initiatives and trends in juvenile justice illustrate broad-based collaborative prevention and intervention approaches that cut across agency boundaries. Some States have created programs to link prevention services more directly with communities, neighborhoods, and schools by providing services in one center. Other States target funding for after-school programs for children and adolescents. In addition, truancy has been identified as a risk factor for crime, violence, and drug abuse. In developing more comprehensive approaches to juvenile offending, States have recognized the benefits of graduated sanctions. Parental responsibility is also an emerging and controversial issue, and at least 17 States have passed laws to hold parents criminally responsible for their children. In addition, concepts of balanced and restorative justice are finding their way into State laws. At least 35 States have adopted legislation dealing with guns and youth, legislative reforms are being implemented in response to serious and violent juvenile crime, criteria for juvenile waiver are changing, and legislatures are becoming very creative in the area of disposition and sentencing. Moreover, each State has a statutorily set of age of original juvenile court jurisdiction and provisions for extending the jurisdiction beyond a certain age, and State legislation dealing with the disclosure of juvenile records and the openness of juvenile court proceedings varies. 2 endnotes