NCJ Number
134512
Date Published
1991
Length
18 pages
Annotation
The Young Offenders Act has changed the role of the juvenile court judge from that specified by the previous Juvenile Delinquents Act by stating the new belief that juvenile court judges must respond to the needs of due process and must emphasize the accountability and responsibility of juvenile offenders for their actions.
Abstract
The new law also continues the previous emphasis on acknowledging the special needs of youth. Some judges have suggested that these goals may be incompatible. Nevertheless, judges must address not only the needs and civil rights of the youth but also the concerns for the protection of the community. Balancing the different interests presents a major challenge to juvenile court judges. Nevertheless, the law's express limitations on judicial discretion need not prevent juvenile court judges from using the sensitivity and other human values long associated with them. 23 reference notes