NCJ Number
53437
Date Published
1978
Length
46 pages
Annotation
THE JUVENILE COURT SYSTEM OF THE REPUBLIC OF CHINA IS BRIEFLY DESCRIBED, THE LAWS GOVERNING THE DISPOSITION OF JUVENILE CASES ARE REPRINTED, AND PHOTOGRAPHS ILLUSTRATE VARIOUS ASPECTS OF THE JUVENILE JUSTICE PROCESS.
Abstract
IN TAIWAN THE JUVENILE DIVISION OF THE DISTRICT COURT CONSISTS OF JUDGES, PROBATION OFFICERS, CLERKS, AND BAILIFFS. THE JUVENILE DIVISION HAS JURISDICTION IN ALL TYPES OF CASES INVOLVING THOSE BETWEEN THE AGES OF 12 AND 18. JUVENILE CRIMINAL CASES CONSIST OF TWO CATEGORIES AS FOLLOWS: MANDATORY CRIMINAL CASES (OFFENSES FOR WHICH THE MINIMUM PENALTY PROVIDED BY THE CRIMINAL CODE IS AT LEAST 5 YEARS IMPRISONMENT), AND DISCRETIONARY JUVENILE CRIMINAL CASES (WHICH ARE SPELLED OUT IN LAW). PETTY OFFENSES ARE TREATED AS JUVENILE REFORMATORY CASES; THIS CATEGORY ALSO INCLUDES MISBEHAVIOR WHICH MIGHT LEAD TO CRIMINAL OFFENSES, SUCH AS ASSOCIATING WITH HABITUAL CRIMINALS, FREQUENTING PLACES WHERE YOUNG PEOPLE ARE PROHIBITED, PARTICIPATING IN AN UNDESIRABLE JUVENILE GANG, CONSTANTLY CARRYING A KNIFE OR OTHER WEAPON, AND SMOKING OR TAKING DRUGS (OTHER THAN MARIJUANA, OPIUM, HEROIN, OR SIMILAR COMPOUNDS, WHICH INVOKE CRIMINAL PENALTIES). JUVENILE HEARINGS ARE NEVER OPEN TO THE PUBLIC ALTHOUGH APPROPRIATE INTERESTED PERSONS MAY ATTEND WITH PERMISSION. POSSIBLE DISPOSITION INCLUDE A REPRIMAND, PROBATION, A SENTENCE TO REFORMATORY EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTION, DRUG OR ALCOHOL ADDICTION TREATMENT, OR A COMMITMENT FOR APPROPRIATE MEDICAL TREATMENT. PROBATION ORDERS MAY REMAND THE YOUTH TO THE CARE OF RELATIVES, BENEVOLENT SOCIETIES, OR OTHER INTERESTED PERSONS FOR CARE. THE MAXIMUM PROBATION OR REFORMATORY SENTENCE IS 3 YEARS. THE PHOTOGRAPHS DEPICT A JUVENILE HEARING, ACTIVITIES IN A REFORMATORY INSTITUTION, AND PROBATION ACTIVITIES. (GLR)