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IN DEFENSE OF YOUTH - A STUDY OF THE ROLE OF COUNSEL IN AMERICAN JUVENILE COURTS

NCJ Number
10166
Author(s)
W V STAPLETON; L E TEITELBAUM
Date Published
1972
Length
256 pages
Annotation
RESULTS OF A STUDY ON THE EFFECT OF DEFENSE COUNSEL PERFORMANCE ON THE CONDUCT AND OUTCOME OF JUVENILE DELINQUENCY CASES.
Abstract
ALTHOUGH JUVENILE PROCEEDINGS ARE NOT OF THE CRIMINAL TYPE, THE CONSEQUENCES OF A FINDING OF DELINQUENCY CAN BE FAR REACHING AND LONG LASTING. FOR THESE REASONS, PRESSURE HAS BEEN BROUGHT FOR THE INTRODUCTION OF MORE EFFECTIVE SAFEGUARDS FOR THE ACCUSED JUVENILE. THIS PRESSURE HAS RESULTED IN THE REQUIREMENT THAT ATTORNEYS BE PROVIDED AT JUVENILE PROCEEDINGS. AFTER PROVIDING THE READER WITH PERTINENT BACKGROUND INFORMATION OF THE HISTORICAL DEVELOPMENT OF JUVENILE COURT PROCEDURES, THE AUTHORS ANALYZE THE IMPACT OF LEGAL REPRESENTATION ON THE OUTCOME OF JUVENILE CASES IN TWO AMERICAN CITIES. FROM THE RESULTS OF THE STUDY, THE THESIS IS DEVELOPED THAT DIFFERENCES IN THE COURTS THEMSELVES ACCOUNTED FOR THE VARIATIONS IN OUTCOMES. THE ORGANIZATIONAL FRAMEWORK OF THE COURTS ARE COMPARED AND ANALYZED TO DETERMINE THE WAYS IN WHICH THE NATURE AND STRUCTURE OF JUVENILE COURTS AFFECT THE CONDUCT OF THE DEFENSE AND THE RELATION BETWEEN DEFENSE POSTURE AND THE RESULTS OBTAINED. JUVENILE COURT ADMINISTRATORS AND LAWYERS, AS WELL AS THOSE INTERESTED IN DOING FURTHER RESEARCH INTO THE EFFECTS OF CHANGES IN LEGAL PROCEDURES, WILL FIND THIS WORK OF PARTICULAR INTEREST. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED). (SNI ABSTRACT)