NCJ Number
74084
Date Published
1979
Length
161 pages
Annotation
Narrative and statistical tabular data reflecting activities of the Court of Common Pleas of Philadelphia, Family Court Division, during 1979 are presented; juvenile, domestic relations, divorce and annulments, and medical branches are included.
Abstract
The juvenile branch has jurisdiction in all proceedings concerning allegations of dependency and delinquency, as well as over dependent and delinquent children. The welfare of the child is the guiding principle of the juvenile branch. During 1979, 57,811 cases were listed for disposition. Also during this period a total of 24,346 cases consisting of 15,077 new charges and 9,629 rehearings were disposed of by the court. Juvenile delinquency cases compose 78 percent of the branch workload. Delinquency cases disposed of during 1979 totaled 12,524; nondelinquency cases listed for court hearing totaled 6,080. In addition, 3,132 cases involving adults charged with corrupting or endangering the welfare of children were listed for court by the juvenile branch. The domestic relations branch deals with most types of family conflicts including spousal abuse. The greatest volume of work concerns obtaining support for children from legally responsible parents and settling custody disputes. In 1979, 31,861 cases were listed for court hearing by the branch. Forty percent of these cases were disposed of. Orders made by the court for support of spouses and children numbered 4,290. There were 7,450 divorce proceedings started during the year and 6,784 divorces granted, an increase of 7 percent over 1978. Indignities were the leading grounds for divorce, accounting for 79 percent of all divorces. The average duration of marriage at the time the divorce was granted was 12 years. Adoptions approved during 1979 totaled 46. The medical branch of the court conducted 2,186 psychiatric examinations and 1,775 psychological examinations. Physical examinations, dental treatment, and nursery care are also provided. A few footnotes and extensive tables are provided in the annual report.