NCJ Number
51974
Journal
Police Chief Volume: 45 Issue: 11 Dated: (NOVEMBER 1978) Pages: 66-69
Date Published
1978
Length
4 pages
Annotation
TRENDS IN JUVENILE DELINQUENT BEHAVIOR AND IN COURT AND POLICE HANDLING OF JUVENILE DELINQUENTS ARE EXAMINED. LENIENCY IN JUVENILE JUSTICE DISPOSITION IS CRITICIZED, AND ALTERNATIVES ARE OFFERED.
Abstract
INCREASES IN JUVENILE DELINQUENCY ARE ATTRIBUTED TO A COMBINATION OF FACTORS: THE DETERIORATION OF THE FAMILY, LAX MORAL ATTITUDES, YOUTH'S LACK OF RESPECT FOR SOCIETY AND FOR AUTHORITY FIGURES IN SOCIETY, AND YOUTH'S NEGATIVE ATTITUDE TOWARD POLICE. THE OVERLY HARSH TREATMENT OF JUVENILE STATUS OFFENDERS IN THE PAST IS CRITICIZED. THE PAPER SUGGESTS, HOWEVER, THAT ATTITUDES HAVE GONE TOO MUCH TO THE OTHER EXTREME. IT IS SUGGESTED THAT BECAUSE OF THE INCREASED LENIENCY OF JUVENILE COURTS, YOUNG PEOPLE BELIEVE NOTHING WILL HAPPEN TO THEM IF THEY ARE APPREHENDED FOR A CRIME. YOUNG TEENS CHARGED WITH EXTREMELY SERIOUS OFFENSES ARE PLACED ON PROBATION AFTER COURT APPEARANCE. TWO CASES ARE CITED IN WHICH JUVENILES ARRESTED FOR A SERIES OF BURGLARIES WERE PUT ON PROBATION AFTER EACH ARREST. COURTS ARE URGED TO REEXAMINE PROCEDURES WHICH FREE THE GUILTY AND ALLOW THEM TO COMMIT MORE CRIMES. IT IS NOTED THAT 'BAD' CHILDREN GROW UP TO BE 'BAD' ADULTS. JUVENILE DELINQUENTS SHOULD BE TREATED PROMPTLY, OTHERWISE THEY WILL CONTINUE TO COMMIT CRIMES AND EVENTUALLY BE CONFRONTED WITH THE PENALTIES OF THE MORE SEVERE ADULT CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM. BY THEN, IT MAY BE TOO LATE FOR CHANGE. MORE COUNSELING IS URGED FOR DELINQUENTS AND THEIR FAMILIES. JUVENILE INSTITUTIONS SHOULD BE REFORMED TO MAKE THEM TRULY PLACES OF REHABILITATION. FOOTNOTES CONTAIN REFERENCES. (GLR)