Proposed Approach for Justice System Processing of Minors Who Are Accused or Convicted of Committing Violent Crimes

• NCJ Number: 77035
• Author(s): C P Smith
• Date Published: 1980
• Length: 15 pages
• Sale Source: National Institute of Justice/
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: Presented to the Joint Juvenile Justice Committee of the Arizona Legislature, Phoenix, Arizona, November 17, 1980.

Annotation

This analysis of processing of minors involved in violent crimes recommends increasing the secure confinement of those minors, and decreasing the secure confinement of minors involved in less serious crimes or noncriminal acts.

Abstract

The paper is mainly based on findings from the National Juvenile Justice System Assessment Center. Characteristics of offenses and offenders are given. The paper indicates that, although violent crimes by minors comprise a relatively small proportion of all offenses committed, their cost and increasing frequency requires a more concentrated effort involving the justice system, the public, and policymakers. Current responses to the problem of violent crime are discussed, ranging from increasing personal precautions to establishing national policy. An analysis of the impact of programs points out that some rehabilitation strategies do work for minors convicted of violent crimes. These strategies include maximum client choice, conditions that enable successful learning and job placement, and continuous involvement of the same case manager. A restructuring of justice system priorities is recommended, as well as organization and procedures to accomplish the task. Strategies such as reallocation of existing funds are also suggested. The cost of the existing programs is examined and a comparative cost analysis is conducted to show how one policy option might cost 50 percent more than another. Statistical data and 15 references are included. (Author abstract modified)