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Juvenile Justice - The Adjudicatory Process

NCJ Number
91935
Author(s)
J L Mershon
Date Published
1982
Length
77 pages
Annotation
In addition to tracing juvenile processing from investigation through post-adjudication and disposition, this book considers the history and philosophy of the juvenile court, juvenile justice standards and model acts, relevant Supreme Court decisions, jurisdiction, prevention, and family law and cases.
Abstract
A section is devoted to each of the following aspects of juvenile processing: juvenile investigation (arrest, search, and confession); intake procedures; intake alternatives; diversion; detention, bail, and shelter care procedures; transfer to adult court; double jeopardy; pretrial discovery; juvenile capacity; trial or adjudicatory hearing; proceedings for dependent, neglected, or deprived children; dispositional proceedings and alternatives; and post-adjudication and disposition. The discussion of the history and background of the juvenile court considers the dual standard in early England, early U.S. juvenile institutions and thought, the first juvenile code (1899), and development of the juvenile court. In addition to providing commentary on model acts and juvenile standards, the American Bar Association Institute of Judicial Administration, Juvenile Justice Standards is described. A section also discusses the philosophy of parental rights versus children's rights with selected cases. Case summaries are provided on academic dismissal, truancy, school hair regulation, suspension for pregnancy, free speech, and athletics. The section on juvenile delinquency prevention focuses on the development of socially responsible community life, community structures, and programs for individuals and groups. The concluding section, which addresses the successes and failures of the juvenile court, notes the lofty goals that have not been fully met, the progress that has been made, and the need to ensure due process of law while maintaining the traditional juvenile philosophy of individualized treatment. A table of cases is provided.