NCJ Number
62076
Date Published
1977
Length
117 pages
Annotation
FIVE ITEMS RELATING TO THE JUVENILE JUSTICE SYSTEM OF ALBERTA, CANADA, ARE CONSIDERED BY THE BOARD OF REVIEW FOR POSSIBLE REVISION; JUVENILE JUSTICE LEGISLATIVE AUTHORITY AND DELINQUENCY RATES ARE HIGHLIGHTED.
Abstract
THE JUVENILE JUSTICE SYSTEM OF ALBERTA OPERATES UNDER THREE STATUTORY AUTHORITIES: THE JUVENILE DELINQUENTS ACT, THE JUVENILE COURT ACT, AND THE CHILD WELFARE ACT. DATA INDICATE THAT A MASSIVE AMOUNT OF JUVENILE MISBEHAVIOR OCCURS IN ALBERTA, PRIMARILY THEFT, VANDALISM, AND RUNNING AWAY. IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT SPECIFIC CHANGES BE MADE IN THE LAWS TO INCREASE JUVENILE JUSTICE SYSTEM EFFECTIVENESS. THE JUVENILE COURT JUDGE SHOULD HAVE THE POWER TO CONFINE A JUVENILE FOR A PERIOD NOT EXCEEDING 3 YEARS, AND THE DIRECTOR OF CHILD WELFARE SHOULD HAVE COMPLETE JURISDICTION OVER INSTITUTIONAL TREATMENT PROGRAMS. CASELOADS FOR PROBATION OFFICERS SHOULD BE KEPT WITHIN REASONABLE LIMITS. SECOND, THE BOARD RECOMMENDS THAT THE PROVINCIAL COURT JUDGES SHOULD NOT EXERCISE JURISDICTION IN THE JUVENILE COURT. THIRD, A CROWN COUNSEL SHOULD BE APPOINTED TO SERVE THE JUVENILE COURT ON A FULL-TIME BASIS AND SHOULD PROSECUTE ALL CASES IN WHICH A NOT GUILTY PLEA IS ENTERED. FOURTH, PROVISION SHOULD BE MADE FOR A UNIFORM ADMINISTRATIVE AND COURT STAFF STRUCTURE IN ALL CENTERS WHERE THERE IS A CLERK OF THE FAMILY AND JUVENILE COURT. FIFTH, OTHER MATTERS FOR POSSIBLE REVISION INCLUDE ESTABLISHING THE AGE AT WHICH A CHILD BECOMES AN ADULT FOR LEGAL PURPOSES AT 16, ESTABLISHING A UNIFORM SCREENING PROCEDURE FOR DETERMINING WHETHER A CHARGE WILL BE MADE AGAINST A JUVENILE SUSPECTED OF BEING DELINQUENT, AND USING DETENTION CENTERS ONLY FOR THE CONFINEMENT OF JUVENILES AWAITING TRIAL. TABLES, FOOTNOTES, AND AN APPENDIX ARE PROVIDED IN THE REPORT. (LWM)