NCJ Number
160160
Date Published
1995
Length
195 pages
Annotation
This document is a collection of presentations at an interdisciplinary conference (April 27 to April 29, 1994, in Innsbruck) evaluating the use of court diversion in Austria.
Abstract
Each of six articles represented a different point of view within the criminal justice system: public safety and the Department of the Interior, the court system, social work, social science, criminology, and criminal legislation. One article compared the use of diversion in Austria and Germany. In Austria, court diversion has been available as an option for juveniles under the age of 14 and older juveniles who have committed minor offenses since 1985. Several participants argued that the same option should now be extended to adults who have committed minor offenses, for example, some cases of shoplifting and of bodily injury. However, before this step can be taken, several legal and practical issues must be resolved: these include a clearer definition of cases in which diversion applies and a clearer definition of offender characteristics which would make diversion a suitable option. The presentations include bibliographical references.