NCJ Number
139733
Date Published
1983
Length
42 pages
Annotation
The Washington State juvenile justice system reform legislation, passed in 1977, called for changes not only in the practices of the juvenile justice system, but in its basic principles as well, emphasizing uniformity, equality, fairness, and accountability rather than deterrence or rehabilitation;.
Abstract
The Washington law made several significant changes in the juvenile justice system. Sentences were now presumptive and determinate. Responsibility for intake to the juvenile system resided in the prosecutor's office for all felonies and misdemeanor incidents. The law established community-based diversion programs for minor and first-time offenders. Finally, the legislation divested the courts of jurisdiction over juvenile status offenses. The reform law's rejection of the traditional philosophy of parens patriae was opposed by judges, probation officers, and juvenile justice agency professionals, but supported by civil rights groups, law enforcement organizations, victim rights groups, and prosecutors. Based on surveys of key juvenile justice system professionals taken 2 years after the new law was implemented, this report covers overall levels of support and opposition among respondents; judicial reactions to the new sentencing standards; perceptions of the impact of the law on uniformity, accountability, fairness, and recidivism; recommendations for change in sentencing standards; and correlations between levels of support for the law and perceptions of its consequences. 10 tables, 2 figures, 5 notes, and 4 references