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Trends in Juvenile Delinquency in Finland, 1995-1998; Laymen as Judges (From Research Report Summaries 1999, P 31-38, 2000, Terttu Belgasem ed. -- See NCJ-187752)

NCJ Number
187754
Author(s)
Janne Kivivuori; Virve-Maria de Godzinsky; Kaijus Ervasti
Date Published
2000
Length
8 pages
Annotation
These two articles examine trends in juvenile delinquency in Finland during the years 1995-1998, and laymen as judges.
Abstract
The first study is based on self-report surveys of Finnish ninth grade (15- to 16-year-old) students. The number of youths who completely refrained from norm-breaking activities appeared to increase, and the attitude of adolescents towards delinquent behavior became less tolerant. At the same time, the incidence of interpersonal violence increased among those adolescents who participated in violence. The article suggests that the latter trend may reflect the hardships of single-parent families during the economic depression of the 1990's. The system of lay representation was assessed through questionnaires addressed to judges, advocates, and legal aid counsels, and a questionnaire addressed to citizens. There was support for laymen's participation in courts, although in a long-term perspective, the role of one decision maker was increasingly emphasized. Lay members of the legal system have had some degree of influence on the courts' decisions. However, the lay members themselves generally considered their impact to be greater than did the professional judges. The article concludes that lay members will play a more significant role in informal alternative procedures for conflict resolution than in proper legal decision making. Tables