NCJ Number
38833
Date Published
1974
Length
0 pages
Annotation
TWO PROSECUTORS, A JUDGE, AND A PUBLIC DEFENDER DISCUSS THEIR ROLES AND THE ROLE OF THE SOCIAL WORKER IN THE JUVENILE JUSTICE SYSTEM; THE QUESTION OF WHOSE INTERESTS ARE SERVED BY WHOM IS PARAMOUNT.
Abstract
A PROSECUTOR STATES THAT THE EASIEST JUVENILE TO DEAL WITH IS THE JUVENILE CRIMINAL - HE CAN BE SENT AWAY AND LOCKED UP. ALL OTHERS, DELINQUENTS AND YOUNGSTERS WITH PROBLEMS, SHOULD BE DEALT WITH ON A NUMBER OF SENSITIVE LEGAL LEVELS, EACH ONE OF WHICH THE PROSECUTOR SHOULD INVOLVE HIMSELF IN. THESE INCLUDE WARRANT HEARINGS, DETENTION HEARINGS, PRETRIAL HEARINGS, PRESENTATION OF MOTIONS, AND DISPOSITIONAL HEARINGS. IT IS IMPORTANT THAT THE PROSECUTOR DOES NOT RELINQUISH HIS INTEREST IN THE CASE, ESPECIALLY AT THE DISPOSITIONAL LEVEL, TO SOCIAL WORKERS. A JUDGE SEES THE JUVENILE COURT AS COMPOSED OF THREE PROFESSIONS - SOCIAL, LEGAL, AND COURT. THE JUDGE MAINTAINS DECORUM AT THE HEARINGS, AND HE MUST ELICIT PARTICIPATION FROM ALL INVOLVED PARTIES. HE MUST DECIDE THE CASE, NOT MERELY RUBBER-STAMP SOCIAL WORKERS' OR ATTORNEYS' RECOMMENDATIONS. THE SOCIAL WORKER SHOULD TRY TO ARRANGE THE BEST SOLUTION AND MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS. THE DEFENDER SHOULD DETERMINE WHETHER THE SOLUTIONS ARE FEASIBLE AND IDENTIFY OPTIONS. THE IMPACT OF THE PUBLIC DEFENDER IN JUVENILE COURT IS INFLUENCED STRONGLY BY THE STANCE OF THE COURT TOWARDS DUE PROCESS GUARANTEES FOR JUVENILES. THE MORE DUE PROCESS, THE GREATER THE IMPACT AND VICE VERSA. SEE NCJ-38832 AND 38834-37 FOR OTHER TAPES IN THIS SERIES....PLO