NCJ Number
118167
Date Published
1982
Length
41 pages
Annotation
This analysis of the juvenile court system in Arkansas concludes that several changes are needed, regardless of whether the court of the future is a juvenile court or a family court.
Abstract
One imperative is that the judge have a law degree and be a member of the Bar. In addition, the court handling the destiny of children should be a court of general jurisdiction so that it can attract high quality judges and command the respect of the legal profession and the public. Moreover, policies and rules of procedure should be so formulated as to ensure the necessary balance between the treatment and rehabilitation of juveniles on the one hand and the protection of due process rights for juveniles and their parents on the other hand. The use of family courts for handling juvenile issues has both advantages and disadvantages. Family courts would make full-time judges feasible and end the current fragmentation, although the courts would have to devote a large proportion of their time to divorce cases. In addition, judges in small communities might become overly familiar with individual families. From the standpoint of children and youth, a modified family court would be preferable to a full-scale family court. Another option is to give the juvenile court a broader family role. 31 references.