DEFENDING KIDS - THE PUBLIC DEFENDER AND THE SOCIAL ORGANIZATION OF JUVENILE COURT

• NCJ Number: 15343
• Author(s): H J SCHECHTER
• Date Published: 1971
• Length: 120 pages
• Sale Source: UMI Dissertation Services; National Institute of Justice/
• Publication Type: Thesis/Dissertation
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: DISSERTATION - NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY

Annotation

A CASE STUDY WHICH INVESTIGATES THE CONSTRUCTION OF JUVENILE DEFENSE STRATEGIES, THE SOCIAL ORGANIZATION OF THE JUVENILE COURT, PATTERNS OF JUDICIAL DECISION-MAKING AND AN EVALUATION OF JUVENILE JUSTICE.

Abstract

AN EXPLICATION OF THE MANNER IN WHICH PUBLIC DEFENDERS DEFINE, CATEGORIZE AND FIT DEFENSE STRATEGIES TO THEIR YOUNG CLIENTS IS FIRST GIVEN. THE DIFFERENCES IN THIS PROCESS FOR PUBLIC DEFENDERS WHO EMPLOY A SOCIAL WORK ORIENTATION IN THEIR JOBS AND THOSE WHO MORE CLOSELY FIT A DEFENSE ATTORNEY MODEL ARE STRESSED. THE DYNAMICS OF SOCIAL ORGANIZATION IN THE JUVENILE COURT IS THEN INVESTIGATED. IT IS ARGUED THAT THE COURT CAN BE SEEN AS A SELF-MAXIMIZING COOPERATIVE SYSTEM. AN ANALYSIS OF THE ADJUDICATORY PROCESS AND THE DISPOSITIONAL PROCESS IS PROVIDED. FINALLY, AN EVALUATION OF THE QUALITY OF JUSTICE RECEIVED BY YOUTHS IN JUVENILE COURT IS GIVEN. IT IS CONTENDED THAT THE RIGHT TO DEFENSE COUNSEL HAS SIGNIFICANTLY IMPROVED THE QUALITY OF JUSTICE, BUT THAT MANY FACTORS INVOLVED IN THE COURT PROCESS, PARTICULARLY ITS DEMEANING TREATMENT OF THE JUVENILE, MAKES IT FAR FROM A GOOD OR ADEQUATE SYSTEM. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED)