NCJ Number
138676
Date Published
1992
Length
6 pages
Annotation
The basic components of the juvenile justice system are identified and their role in the juvenile justice process described: police departments, detention facilities, juvenile court, corrections, and community agencies.
Abstract
A complaint begins the juvenile justice process. An average of 30 to 45 percent of those juveniles taken into custody because of an alleged delinquent act are either counseled and released or referred to community services. An intake officer who finds a complaint to be sufficient for processing may refer the juvenile to a social agency, recommend to the prosecutor that a petition be filed, or implement other options specified in State laws. Intake frequently serves as the gatekeeper of the juvenile justice system. A juvenile enters the juvenile justice process when an intake officer recommends filing a petition. Juveniles accused or adjudicated of delinquent conduct who should not be placed in an open setting are housed in detention facilities. If a juvenile is judged by a court to be delinquent, a judge determines his/her disposition at a hearing. Disposition options include probation, confinement, or community placement.