NCJ Number
46823
Date Published
1978
Length
26 pages
Annotation
A SYNOPSIS OF THE OPERATIONS, POLICIES, AND PROCEDURES OF THE PIMA COUNTY, ARIZONA, JUVENILE COURT SYSTEM IS PRESENTED. ALSO INCLUDED ARE DIVERSIONARY PROGRAMS, SERVICES, RESOURCES, AND ALLIED AGENCIES.
Abstract
THE PIMA COUNTY JUVENILE COURT IS THE BRANCH OF THE SUPERIOR COURT RESPONSIBLE FOR ALL YOUTHS UNDER 18 YEARS OLD WHO VIOLATE THE LAW OR REQUIRE COURT INTERVENTION. THE COURT IS ORIENTED TOWARD TREATMENT AND REHABILITATION OF JUVENILE OFFENDERS AND EMPHASIZES DIVERSIONARY AND INNOVATIVE APPROACHES AS ALTERNATIVES TO INCARCERATION. THE DIVERSE ROLES OF THE PROBATION OFFICER ARE BRIEFLY DESCRIBED. THE COURT PROCESS BEGINS WITH REFERRAL FROM THE ARRESTING POLICE OFFICER. THE INTAKE OFFICER INTERVIEWS THE CHILD AND HIS OR HER PARENTS AND OBTAINS PERSONAL BACKGROUND INFORMATION. IF THE MATTER CANNOT BE RESOLVED AT THIS POINT, A COURT HEARING TAKES PLACE BEFORE A JUVENILE COURT JUDGE. APPEALS MAY BE MADE. TYPES OF HEARINGS HELD BY THE COURT INCLUDE: (1) DETENTION HEARINGS; (2) ADJUDICATION HEARINGS; (3) DISPOSITIONAL HEARINGS, DURING WHICH PLANS ARE PROPOSED FOR COURT ACTION IN THE MANAGEMENT OF AN ADJUDICATED DELINQUENT; (4) TRANSFER HEARINGS FOR CASES SCHEDULED FOR TRANSFER TO ADULT JURISDICTION, AND (5) SHOW CAUSE HEARINGS FOR COURT COSTS. DISPOSITIONAL ALTERNATIVES MAY INCLUDE CONTINUED DISPOSITION, OFFICIAL PROBATION, PLACEMENT, FAMILY AND INDIVIDUAL COUNSELING, OR COMMITMENT TO THE DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS. FUNCTIONAL ADMINISTRATION UNITS AND SECTIONS OF THE JUVENILE COURT INCLUDE INTAKE, MOBILE DIVERSION, DETENTION, PROBATION, THE JUDGES AND REFEREES OF THE FORMAL COURT (INCLUDING TRAFFIC COURT FOR JUVENILES), PROGRAM SERVICES, PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT, THE ADOPTION EXAMINER, CHILD PROTECTIVE SERVICES, A COMMUNITY RESOURCE UNIT, FOSTER HOMES, STREET PROGRAM (INHOME INTENSIVE SOCIAL SERVICES), FAMILY COUNSELING BILL MONITORING, AND RESEARCH/STATISTICS. THE AWARDING OF A FEDERAL GRANT TO THE COURT IN DECEMBER 1975 FOR THE EVALUATION OF A POLICY OF DEINSTITUTIONALIZATION OF STATUS OFFENDERS HAS LED TO GREATER LENIENCY IN THE TREATMENT OF STATUS OFFENDERS AND THE DEVELOPMENT OF INNOVATIVE TREATMENT APPROACHES AND PROCESSING METHODS WHICH UTILIZE COMMUNITY RESOURCES. ALLIED WITH THE JUVENILE COURT ARE THREE DEPUTY COUNTY ATTORNEYS AND THREE PUBLIC DEFENDERS. A DIRECTORY OF PERSONNEL AT THE JUVENILE COURT CENTER, A GLOSSARY OF TERMS, AND A MAP SHOWING THE TERRITORIES ASSIGNED TO THE FIVE PROBATION TEAMS ARE ALSO PROVIDED. (JAP)