NCJ Number
14138
Journal
Journal of California Law Enforcement Volume: 8 Issue: 3 Dated: (JANUARY 1974) Pages: 147-152
Date Published
1974
Length
6 pages
Annotation
A DIVERSIONARY PROGRAM FOR JUVENILE OFFENDERS HAS FOSTERED COOPERATION BETWEEN POLICE OFFICERS AND PROBATION OFFICERS IN LOS ANGELES COUNTY.
Abstract
PRIOR TO THE INCEPTION OF PROJECT INTERCEPT, IF A POLICE OFFICER JUDGED THAT A JUVENILE OFFENDER SHOULD BE HELD IN CUSTODY UNTIL HIS DETENTION HEARING, THE INTAKE PROBATION OFFICER COULD UNILATERALLY REVERSE THAT DECISION AND RELEASE THE JUVENILE. NOW WHEN A POLICE OFFICER ARRESTS A JUVENILE, AND BELIEVES THAT HE SHOULD BE HELD IN CUSTODY, HE REQUESTS THAT AN INTERCEPT PROBATION OFFICER INTERVIEW THE JUVENILE. BASED ON HIS CONCLUSIONS AND A REVIEW OF THE JUVENILE'S RECORD, THE 'INTERCEPT' PROBATION OFFICER MAKES THE DECISION CONCERNING CUSTODY. IF HE DECIDES THAT CUSTODY IS CALLED FOR, THE INTAKE PROBATION OFFICER AT JUVENILE COURT CANNOT OVERRIDE THIS DECISION. AMONG THE ADVANTAGES OF THIS PROGRAM ARE DELAY REDUCTION IN PROCESSING JUVENILES, ACCESS OF THE INTERCEPT PROBATION OFFICER TO POLICE FILES AND THE APPEARANCE OF A UNIFIED CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM TO THE JUVENILE.