RIGHT TO BE LEFT ALONE

• NCJ Number: 15353
• Author(s): J K MCNULTY
• Date Published: 1972
• Length: 26 pages
• Corporate Author: US Dept of Health, Education, and Welfare
• Sale Source: National Institute of Justice/
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: REPRINTED FROM THE AMERICAN CRIMINAL LAW REVIEW, V 11, N 1.

Annotation

THIS ARTICLE QUESTIONS THE WISDOM OF THE JUVENILE COURT'S INVOLVEMENT WITH CHILDREN ENGAGED IN ANTI-SOCIAL BUT NON-CRIMINAL ACTIVITY, AND FOCUSES ON THE OVERREACH OF THE COURT SYSTEM IN UNIQUELY JUVENILE BEHAVIOR PROBLEMS.

Abstract

A REVIEW OF THE HISTORY OF JURISDICTION OVER THE 'WAYWARD' CHILD IN ILLINOIS FOCUSES ON THE 'MINS' (MINOR IN NEED OF SUPERVISION) CATEGORY SET UP BY THE STATE'S JUVENILE COURT ACT OF 1965. THE AUTHOR POINTS OUT THAT ALTHOUGH THE 'MINS' (MINOR IN NEED OF SUPERVISION) DESIGNATION SEPARATED JUVENILE STATUS OFFENDERS FROM THE DELINQUENT MINORS, JUVENILES WERE STILL SUBJECT TO COURT JURISDICTION. THEREFORE, THEY OFTEN EVENTUALLY ENDED UP BEING ADJUDGED 'DELINQUENT' AND PLACED IN A JUVENILE CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTION. SHE CONTENDS THAT FOR THIS AND OTHER REASONS JURISDICTION OVER 'MINS' SHOULD BE REMOVED FROM THE JUVENILE COURT, ADVOCATED IS THE USE OF COMMUNITY-BASED VOLUNTARY YOUTH SERVICES. IN ADDITION, SEVERAL LEGISLATIVE PROPOSALS, INCLUDING A FEDERAL RUNAWAY YOUTH ACT AND CHILD ADVOCACY AGENCIES ARE DISCUSSED AS TO THEIR PLANNED SUBSTANCE AND SCOPE.