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JUVENILE CRIME CRISIS - CAUSE AND REMEDY

NCJ Number
16148
Journal
Police Chief Volume: 41 Issue: 12 Dated: (DECEMBER 1974) Pages: 40,42-45
Author(s)
C L CRONKHITE
Date Published
1974
Length
5 pages
Annotation
FAILURE OF THE JUVENILE JUSTICE SYSTEM TO TAKE PLANNED POSITIVE ACTION WITH OFFENDERS IS VIEWED AS A MAJOR CAUSE OF JUVENILE VIOLENCE, AND THE STEPS IN A POSITIVE APPROACH ARE PRESENTED.
Abstract
HARDCORE JUVENILES WITH TEN OR MORE ARRESTS ARE BELIEVED TO HAVE BEEN CULTIVATED BY THE FAILURE OF THE JUVENILE JUSTICE SYSTEM TO ACT EFFECTIVELY IN THE EARLY STAGES OF DELINQUENT BEHAVIOR. IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT COUNSELING AND RELEASING ONLY BE USED IN VERY MINOR CASES AND NOT FOR A SECOND TIME WITH AN OFFENDER. EMPHASIS IS UPON REFERRING THE BEGINNING MINOR OFFENDER TO AGENCIES PREPARED TO COUNSEL THEM. IF PROVISIONS FOR REHABILITATION OR PROBATION ARE VIOLATED OR ANOTHER ARREST OCCURS, IT IS URGED THAT THE OFFENDER BE BROUGHT BEFORE THE COURT TO BE ADJUDICATED FOR POSSIBLY STRONGER CONTROLS ON BEHAVIOR. THAT THE JUVENILE SHOULD KNOW WHAT TO EXPECT FROM THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM IN THE WAY OF FIRM ACTION IS REPEATEDLY STRESSED. HARD-CORE OFFENDERS, APPRENTICE HARD-CORE OFFENDERS, AND BEGINNING OFFENDERS ARE THE CATEGORIES FOR OFFENDERS THAT REQUIRE THREE DISTINCT PROGRAMS OF APPROACH, WITH THE HARD-CORE BEING REMOVED FROM THE COMMUNITY, THE APPRENTICE HARD-CORE ON FIRM PROBATION AND THE BEGINNER REFERRED TO REHABILITATION AGENCIES.