NCJ Number
19070
Date Published
1975
Length
255 pages
Annotation
INQUIRES INTO THE SITUATIONS WHICH GIVE RISE TO THE USE OF THE CRIMINAL PROCESS, EVALUATES THE EFFECTIVENESS OF EXISTING METHODS OF CRIME PREVENTION AND CONTROL, AND EXPLORES ALTERNATIVE MODES OF DISPUTE RESOLUTION.
Abstract
STUDIES ON DIVERSION PRESENTS A WORKING PAPER ON DIVERSION AND RESEARCH PAPERS THAT DESCRIBE THE MAJOR FACETS OF THE EAST YORK COMMUNITY LAW REFORM PROJECT. THIS COMMUNITY BASED PROJECT, AN EXPERIMENT IN LEGAL RESEARCH, ATTEMPTED TO EXTEND THE PROCESS OF LAW REFORM, TRADITIONALLY AN UNDERTAKING RESERVED TO LEGAL PROFESSIONALS, TO THOSE MOST DIRECTLY AFFECTED BY THE ADMINISTRATION OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE - VICTIMS, OFFENDERS AND POLICE OFFICERS. THE PROJECT WAS LOCATED IN A METROPOLITAN TORONTO POLICE PATROL AREA OF EAST YORK, A SPECIFIC AND IDENTIFIABLE COMMUNITY BASE. THE FIRST RESEARCH PAPER FOCUSES ON KINDS OF TROUBLE EXPERIENCED BY EAST YORK RESIDENTS AND WHAT KINDS OF HELP THEY SOUGHT AND RECEIVED. THE NEIGHBORHOOD INFORMATION CENTRE IS ANALYZED IN TERMS OF ITS FUNCTION AS A LINKAGE POINT, BETWEEN THE PROFESSIONALS AND AGENCIES SERVING THE AREA AND THE LOCAL RESIDENTS, AS WELL AS AMONG RESIDENTS THEMSELVES. BELIEVING THAT THE METROPOLITAN TORONTO POLICE HAVE FOUND A WAY OF MAINTAINING A FAIR BALANCE BETWEEN STRICT LAW ENFORCEMENT AND UNOFFICIAL SOCIAL CONTROL DEMANDED BY THE PUBLIC, THE SECOND PAPER EXPLORES IN DETAIL THE ATTITUDE AND VIEWS OF THE TORONTO POLICE TOWARDS THEIR WORK AND THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM GENERALLY. A STUDY OF A SAMPLE OF JUVENILE CASES FROM THE METROPOLITAN TORONTO POLICE YOUTH BUREAU SUMMARIZES A FIRST COMPUTER ANALYSIS OF POLICE USE OF DIVERSIONARY DISPOSITIONS WITH JUVENILE OFFENDERS. THE FOURTH PAPER PRESENTS AN EXAMINATION OF POLICE RESPONSES TO CRIMINAL EVENTS IN TERMS OF THE CONTRAST BETWEEN THE RELATIVE PROPORTIONS OF OCCURRENCES WHICH RESULT IN CHARGES AND PROSECUTION AND THOSE WHICH ARE DISCHARGED OR VENTED BY THE EXERCISE OF SOME FORM OF POLICE DISCRETION. FINAL PAPERS INCLUDE AN EXAMINATION OF THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN VICTIMS AND OFFENDERS, AND CONFLICT AND THE USES OF ADJUDICATION. THESE RESEARCH PAPERS FORM THE BACKGROUND FOR THE WORKING PAPER ON DIVERSION WHICH IS PRESENTED IN THE CONCLUDING SECTION. THIS PAPER, PREPARED BY THE LAW REFORM COMMISSION OF CANADA, PRESENTS THE PHILOSOPHY OF THE COMMISSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS FOR CHANGES IN THE LAW. (SNI ABSTRACT)