NCJ Number
89540
Date Published
1981
Length
42 pages
Annotation
Persons needing to research their State juvenile justice systems should start by reading as much background about juvenile justice as possible, read the State juvenile justice code, and obtain a copy of the State plan submitted by the State to the Office of Juvenile and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP) in order to receive OJJDP funds.
Abstract
The research should also include interviews with the administrator of the State Criminal Justice Council, staff of the local juvenile court, and local police personnel. The juvenile justice system has evolved from the concept of parens patriae to more emphasis on minors' rights. The system is a complex process, with varying codes from State to State. The Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act aimed to aid the establishment of effective prevention programs and to divert juveniles from the formal juvenile justice system. Four organizations have established standards in eight areas of juvenile justice: delinquency prevention, diversion, the deinstitutionalization of status offenders, reducing commitments to detention and correctional facilities, community-based facilities, separation of juveniles from adults in detention or correctional facilities, and advocacy for services. Figures showing the organizations' recommended positions on each subject and 19 references are supplied.