Combatting Juvenile Crime: What the Public Really Wants

• NCJ Number: 139956
• Author(s): I M Schwartz; J J Kerbs; D M Hogston; C L Guillean
• Date Published: 1992
• Length: 32 pages
• Sponsoring Agency: Annie E. Casey Foundation
• Corporate Author: University of Utah; University of Michigan; Boston Mills Press
• Sale Source: National Institute of Justice/; NCJRS Photocopy Services
• Publication Format: Document
• Publication Type: Survey
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: *This document is currently unavailable from NCJRS. OJJDP PR Initative.

Annotation

A national survey conducted by telephone in August and September 1991 gathered information regarding public attitudes toward juvenile crime and juvenile justice.

Abstract

Findings revealed that citizens believe that serious juvenile crime has increased in their states. However, the public does not feel that serious juvenile crime has increased in their neighborhoods, and they are not afraid to walk alone within 1 mile of their homes at night. The public believes that the main purpose of the juvenile court should be to rehabilitate youthful offenders. Citizens also believe that juveniles should receive the same due process protections as adults. They also prefer spending State funds on community-based programs rather than residential programs, trying juveniles who commit felonies in adult courts, giving juveniles different sentences than adults, and imposing harsher sentences on juvenile recidivists than on repeat offenders. Figures, glossary, 1 reference, and methodological appendix