NCJ Number
69059
Date Published
1979
Length
0 pages
Annotation
THE INSTITUTE FOR JUDICIAL ADMINSTRATION-AMERICAN BAR ASSOCIATION STANDARDS FOR DEALING WITH STATUS OFFENDERS ARE REVIEWED AND CRITICIZED.
Abstract
FIRST, AN ASSISTANT COUNTY ATTORNEY OUTLINES THE STANDARDS: STATUS OFFENDERS SHOULD NOT GO BEFORE THE COURTS; A SYSTEM OF LOCAL VOLUNTARY SERVICES IS TO PROVIDE CRISIS HOT LINES, GROUP COUNSELING, PSYCHIATRIC ASSISTANCE, AND OTHER HELP FOR FAMILIES IN TROUBLE; AND THE POLICE MAY DETAIN RUNAWAYS FOR ONLY A LIMITED TIME UNTIL BOTH THE JUVENILES AND THE PARENTS HAVE AGREED THAT A RETURN HOME IS ACCEPTABLE. THE COURTS SHOULD BECOME INVOLVED ONLY WHEN THIS AGREEMENT CANNOT BE REACHED, AND THEN ONLY TO A VERY LIMITED EXTENT. THEN, A JUVENILE COURT JUDGE ARGUES THAT THE COURTS SHOULD DIVERT ONLY THOSE YOUTHS WHO CAN BE EFFECTIVELY AIDED BY COMMUNITY AGENCIES. BUT IF HELP IS NOT AVAILABLE ELSEWHERE OR IF THE CHILDREN OR THEIR PARENTS REFUSE TO FACE THEIR PROBLEMS, THE COURTS SHOULD BECOME INVOLVED. FURTHERMORE, HE ARGUES THAT THE LOCAL COMMUNITY SERVICES ENVISIONED IN THE STANDARDS WILL PROBABLY NEVER BE FULLY ACHIEVED BECAUSE OF BUDGETARY PROBLEMS, AND THAT COURT INTERVENTION REMAINS AS THE ONLY ALTERNATIVE. THE AUDIOTAPE CASSETTE IS SUITABLE FOR AUDIENCES ALREADY FAMILIAR WITH THE STANDARDS. A TABLE OF CONTENTS IS PROVIDED, BUT NO FURTHER SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIALS ARE INCLUDED.