NEW JERSEY'S PROGRAMS FOR YOUTH WELFARE AND DELINQUENCY REMEDIATION

• NCJ Number: 56354
• Journal: Juvenile and Family Court Journal Volume: 30 Issue: 1 Dated: (FEBRUARY 1979) Pages: 55-63
• Author(s): W FIORINO
• Date Published: 1979
• Length: 9 pages
• Corporate Author: National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges
• Publication Format: Article
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

NEW JERSEY'S PROGRAM FOR JUVENILE DELINQUENCY PREVENTION IN WHICH CASES OF A MINOR NATURE ARE ELIMINATED FROM THE JUVENILE COURT CASELOAD TO ALLOW JUDGES TO CONSIDER MORE SERIOUS CASES AND THE DISPOSITIONAL PROCESS ARE OUTLINED.

Abstract

THE JUVENILE CONFERENCE COMMITTEE (JCC) CONCEPT IS THE BASIS OF THE STATE'S PROGRAM TO HELP MANY JUVENILES AVOID THE STIGMA OF A JUVENILE RECORD. SINCE JCC'S OPERATE ON A VOLUNTARY BASIS, THEY DO NOT POSE A SEVERE ECONOMIC PROBLEM FOR THE COMMUNITY OR COUNTY GOVERNMENT. THE CORRECT PROCEDURE FOR CONDUCTING A JCC HEARING IS BASICALLY ADHERING TO COURT RULES AND POLICY DIRECTIONS. ANY RECOMMENDATIONS MADE BY JCC'S SHOULD ONLY BE ISSUED AFTER A PRIVATE DISCUSSION HAS BEEN CONDUCTED BY PARTICIPATING MEMBERS. JUVENILES CAN PLEAD GUILTY OR INNOCENT AT HEARINGS. THE RELATION BETWEEN POLICE AND JCC'S IS SIMILAR TO THE RELATION BETWEEN POLICE AND COURTS, IN THAT THE BASIC POLICE FUNCTION IS EITHER AS COMPLAINANT OR WITNESS. THE MOST WIDELY USED DISPOSITION IS THE ASSIGNMENT OF A 250-WORD COMPOSITION; E.G., CHILDREN CHARGED WITH SHOPLIFTING MAY BE REQUIRED TO WRITE A COMPOSITION ON WHY STEALING IS HARMFUL. CHILD STUDYING TEAMS FUNCTION IN CONSULTATION WITH THE LOCAL BOARD OF EDUCATION WITH REGARD TO IDENTIFYING AND DIAGNOSING CHILDREN IN NEED OF SPECIAL EDUCATIONAL SERVICES, DEVELOPING AND APPROVING PUBLIC SCHOOL PROGRAMS FOR THE HANDICAPPED, SUPERVISING AND COORDINATING PUBLIC SCHOOL PROGRAMS FOR THE HANDICAPPED, REPORTING AND REFERRING CHILDREN WITH SEVERE HANDICAPS, PROVIDING SOCIAL CASE WORK AND PSYCHOLOGICAL EVALUATION, PROVIDING REMEDIAL INSTRUCTION, INITIATING COOPERATIVE ACTION WITH STATE AND COUNTY AGENCIES AND LAW PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS, AND ASSUMING ADDITIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES AS REQUIRED. JCC PROGRAMS IN STATES OTHER THAN NEW JERSEY ARE REVIEWED. HISTORICAL DEVELOPMENTS IN THE JCC CONCEPT ARE TRACED. STATISTICS DEMONSTRATING THE VALUE OF JCC'S ARE PRESENTED; AND THE REFERRAL SYSTEM FOR JCC'S IS CONSIDERED. A BIBLIOGRAPHY IS PROVIDED.