NCJ Number
68170
Journal
Juvenile and Family Court Journal Volume: 31 Issue: 2 Dated: (MAY 1980) Pages: 3-13
Date Published
1980
Length
11 pages
Annotation
JUVENILE COURTS CAN SEEK ACCREDITATION BASED ON THESE EVALUATION STANDARDS DEVELOPED AND TESTED BY THE ACCREDITATION COMMITTEE OF THE NATIONAL COUNCIL OF JUVENILE AND FAMILY COURT JUDGES.
Abstract
THE STANDARDS, DEVELOPED BY JUDGES, COVER 155 SPECIFIC ITEMS. ALL OF THE STANDARDS ARE CONSIDERED IMPORTANT AND APPROXIMATELY ONE-HALF OF THEM, ESSENTIAL. THE JUDGE OF THE COURT UNDER CONSIDERATION ASSEMBLES KEY PEOPLE FROM THE PROBATION AND SOCIAL SERVICES, PROSECUTING AND DEFENSE COUNSEL, AND POLICE AND SCHOOL REPRESENTATIVES WHO SPEND A DAY TOGETHER SCORING THE COURT. THE NATIONAL COUNCIL OF JUVENILE AND FAMILY COURT JUDGES THEN SENDS IN A TRAINED TEAM OF JUDGES, PROBATION OFFICERS, AND COURT ADMINISTRATORS WHO SPEND AS MANY DAYS AS NECESSARY TO OBSERVE, QUESTION, INVESTIGATE, AND THEN ARRIVE AT THEIR SCORINGS. FOLLOWING A DISCUSSION OF DIFFERENCES BY THE TWO GROUPS, THE TEAM THEN WRITES ITS REPORT AND FORWARDS IT TO THE JUDGE. THE ACCREDITATION PROCESS IS BASED ON THE FOLLOWING PRINCIPLES: EFFICIENT ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE; PROTECTION OF THE RIGHTS AND SENSITIVITIES OF THE CHILDREN, THEIR PARENTS, AND THE PUBLIC; MINIMUM INTERVENTION INTO THE PRIVACY AND LIBERTIES OF CHILDREN AND FAMILIES; INDIVIDUALIZED JUSTICE, LOOKING LESS TO PAST OFFENSES AND MORE TOWARD THE NEEDS OF THE CHILD AND PUBLIC IN RELATION TO THE CHILD; CONDUCTING PRIVATE HEARINGS THAT PROTECT THE CHILD BUT THAT DO NOT EXCLUDE THE PUBLIC FROM COURT KNOWLEDGE; AND ENSURING FAIRNESS BY NOTIFYING ALL INTERESTED PARTIES AND SOLICITING THEIR BEST IDEAS ON PREVENTING A RECURRENCE OF DELINQUENCY OR NEGLECT. ACCREDITED AREAS INCLUDE DIVERSION, STATUS OFFENSES, DETENTION, CERTIFICATION, AND PROTECTION OF LIBERTY. OTHER AREAS COVER ADJUDICATION, SOCIAL INVESTIGATION, DISPOSITIONAL RESOURCES, DISPOSITION HEARING, COURT, PERSONNEL, AND RECORDS. ESSENTIAL ITEMS ARE ITALICIZED. (AOP)