NCJ Number
162288
Date Published
1996
Length
195 pages
Annotation
This report describes Wisconsin's Juvenile Justice Code, as created by 1995 Wisconsin Act 77, and as affected by 1995 Wisconsin Acts 230, 275, 352, 387, and 440; unless otherwise noted, the provisions of the Code first apply to offenses committed on July 1, 1996.
Abstract
The legislative intent of the Code is to promote a juvenile justice system that is capable of dealing with juvenile delinquency, that will protect the community, impose accountability for violations of law, and equip juvenile offenders with the capabilities to live responsibly and productively. Code provisions are thus designed to protect citizens from juvenile crime and hold each juvenile offender directly accountable for his/her acts. The Code provides for an individualized assessment of each juvenile who is alleged or adjudicated delinquent, so as to prevent future delinquent behavior through the development of competency in the juvenile offender. Further, the Code provides due process through which each juvenile offender and all interested parties are assured of fair hearings. Under the Code, every effort is made to divert juveniles from the juvenile justice system through early intervention as warranted and when consistent with community protection. Judges are allowed the discretion to select the most effective dispositional option, so as to respond to a juvenile offender's needs for care and treatment. Under the Code, victims and witnesses of crimes committed by juveniles are afforded the same rights as victims and witnesses of crimes committed by adults. Each of the Code provisions is presented in this report.