NCJ Number
192710
Journal
Criminal Justice Magazine Volume: 15 Issue: 1 Dated: Spring 2000 Pages: 1-8
Date Published
2001
Length
8 pages
Annotation
This article provides a vision of a juvenile court of the 21st century that can be effective in diagnosing, selecting, and monitoring treatment for juveniles commensurate with their needs and development.
Abstract
Juvenile courts should have an expansive jurisdiction that includes repeat offenders and those charged with violent offenses, with juvenile judges being given the discretion to determine, based on an adequate factual record after a due process hearing, when a juvenile warrants waiver to adult criminal court because he/she can no longer be handled in the juvenile court system. Another option would be to allow the "transfer" decision to be made after a juvenile's experience with juvenile court interventions can be evaluated. The effectiveness of the juvenile court depends on the knowledge and experience of the judge and judicial officer. Their knowledge must equal the substantive knowledge expected of social workers and psychologists who deal with children and their behaviors. Judges and judicial officers should have a sufficient commitment and dedication to serve in the juvenile court for at least 2 years to acquire the needed knowledge and expertise. A progressive juvenile court must have an effective intake screening process to evaluate the risk and behavioral factors of each child brought before the court. One alternative available to the juvenile court is the use of "teen courts." In the past decade they have become a popular intervention for young first-time offenders. When pretrial diversion programs or other approaches do not result in the dismissal of the juvenile delinquency charges, the case must be tried. At this stage it is essential that the juvenile be represented by defense counsel as knowledgeable and competent as any lawyer who would represent a defendant accused in adult criminal court. Effective probation requires that appropriate services and programs be provided that enhance basic life skills, education, job training, and employment. Criteria for detention must be carefully crafted, and detention facilities and programs must be reserved and tailored for juveniles. In providing the resources to rehabilitate juveniles, juvenile courts provide for a safer and better community.