NCJ Number
65151
Date Published
1979
Length
297 pages
Annotation
A COMPREHENSIVE LITERATURE REVIEW WAS CONDUCTED OF EMPIRICAL RESEARCH ON THE FACTORS WHICH DETERMINE PROCESSING DECISIONS FOR JUVENILES AS THEY ENTER AND MAINTAIN CONTACT WITH THE JUVENILE JUSTICE SYSTEM.
Abstract
THE REVIEW WAS MADE BY THE NATIONAL JUVENILE JUSTICE SYSTEM ASSESSMENT CENTER AS PART OF THE INITIAL EFFORT TO ASSESS THE DYNAMICS OF CLASSIFICATION (I.E., FOR JUVENILES--AS DELINQUENT, STATUS OFFENDER, NEGLECTED CHILD, OR VICTIM). THE CENTER FOUND THAT TO DATE VIRTUALLY NO EMPIRICAL LITERATURE HAS FOCUSED ON HOW TO CLASSIFY THE JUVENILE; IT HAS LOOKED INSTEAD AT THE 'DISPOSITION' OF JUVENILES BY THE SYSTEM. THUS, THE FINDINGS REPORTED HERE REFLECT THE FACTORS WHICH APPEARED TO INFLUENCE (1) DECISIONS BY LAW ENFORCEMENT PERSONNEL, (2) DETENTION (3) COURT INTAKE, (4) COURT HEARINGS, AND (5) CORRECTIONAL PROCESSING. THE FACTORS STUDIED WERE THE SERIOUSNESS AND NATURE OF THE OFFENSE, PRIOR RECORD, VICTIM'S OR COMPLAINANT'S PREFERENCE, CODEFENDANTS, EVIDENCE, DEMEANOR OR ATTITUDE OF THE JUVENILE TOWARD THE POLICE, RACE, SOCIOECONOMIC STATUS, SEX, AGE, AND FAMILY STATUS. FURTHER FACTORS CONSIDERED WERE THE CHARACTERISTICS OF THE POLICE OFFICER, THE LIKELIHOOD OF FLIGHT, THE PRESENCE OF A DEFENSE COUNSEL, THE PROBATION OFFICER'S RECOMMENDATIONS, JUDICIAL IDEOLOGY AND ATTITUDES, AND THE JUVENILE JUSTICE ORIENTATION OF THE COURT. STAFF RECOMENDATIONS AND CHARACTERISTICS, EMOTIONAL SUPPORT IN THE HOME, AND PAROLE PROCEDURES WERE ALSO EXAMINED IN RELATION TO CORRECTIONAL CASE DISPOSITION. APPENDIXES LIST THE CENTER'S STAFF, ADVISORY COMMITTEE, AND PROGRAM MONITORS AND PROVIDE REFERENCES AND A SUPPLEMENTAL BIBLIOGRAPHY.