This report describes the complex system charged with making societal interventions and dispositional decisions designed to intervene successfully with Indiana's most wayward youth. It begins with a summary of national statistics and trends, noting that, according to the Federal Bureau of Investigation Uniform Crime Reports, in 1990 the United…

The Indiana juvenile justice system is charged with intervening on behalf of youthful offenders for the purposes of providing care, treatment, protection, or rehabilitation. This report provides an overview of the state's juvenile justice system, which has fallen under widespread criticism for many years. The following issues are identified: data…

Examines the relationship between teenage premarital paternity, child support enforcement, and delinquency. The non-random data were gathered from the Marian County, Indiana District Attorney's Office and Juvenile Court. Suggests that the early establishment of paternity should be pursued and that child support enforcement strategies should…

Reports on several elementary and junior high schools which use mock trials; drama; a legal outreach program; and a teen court, in which teenagers assist in juvenile court cases, to help students learn about the legal system. Statistics show that this hands-on experience is more effective than classroom teaching alone. (SM)