NCJ Number
35481
Journal
Juvenile Justice Volume: 27 Issue: 2 Dated: (MAY 1976) Pages: 25-28
Date Published
1976
Length
4 pages
Annotation
THIS CONDENSED REPORT OF PROJECT INQUIRY, WHICH EXAMINED THE OHIO JUVENILE COURTROOM FACILITIES, BRIEFLY DESCRIBES THE STUDY METHODS, OUTLINES THE PROJECT FINDINGS, AND LISTS THE MINIMUM STANDARDS PROPOSED BY THE PROJECT.
Abstract
THE OHIO ASSOCIATION OF JUVENILE COURT JUDGES APPLIED FOR AND RECEIVED LEAA MONIES TO UNDERTAKE THIS STUDY OF JUVENILE COURTROOM FACILITIES. THE ASSOCIATION'S CONCERN WAS THAT EVERY JUVENILE COURT IN OHIO BE PROVIDED WITH A FUNCTIONAL, DIGNIFIED, AND LEGALLY-ADEQUATE COURTROOM. STUDY METHODS INCLUDED SITE VISITS TO EACH JUVENILE COURT, INTERVIEWS WITH 88 OF THE 97 JUVENILE COURT JUDGES, OBSERVATION OF COURTROOM FACILITIES, AND PHOTOGRAPHING OF COURTROOM FACILITIES. THE INTERVIEWS WITH THE JUDGES REVEALED A RECOGNITION OF THE INADEQUATE PROVISIONS OFTEN MADE FOR JUVENILE COURTS. AMONG THE MOST COMMON PROBLEMS FOUND WERE LACK OF ADEQUATE SPACE, USE OF THE COURTROOM FOR PURPOSES OTHER THAN JUVENILE HEARINGS, LACK OF PRIVATE WAITING AREAS, AND LACK OF DIGNITY DUE TO INADEQUATE FURNISHINGS AND SPACE. BASED ON THESE RESULTS, THE ASSOCIATION ADOPTED MINIMUM STANDARDS FOR JUVENILE COURTROOMS IN OHIO. THE STANDARDS CALL FOR SEPARATE COURTROOM FACILITIES USED ONLY FOR JUVENILE COURT, PRIVATE CHAMBERS FOR JUDGES, SUFFICIENT AUXILIARY ROOMS FOR COURT PARTICIPANTS, PRIVATE WAITING AREAS, DIGNIFIED FACILITIES, ADEQUATE RECORDS OF TESTIMONY, PRIVATE OFFICES FOR PROBATION PERSONNEL, AND ADEQUATE LIGHTING, HEATING, COOLING, AND FURNISHINGS.