This study is a 2-year follow-up of girls with serious and chronic delinquency who were enrolled in a randomized clinical trial conducted from 1997 to 2002 comparing multidimensional treatment foster care (MTFC) and group care (N = 81). Girls were referred by juvenile court judges and had an average of over 11 criminal referrals when they entered…

In the wake of a U.S. Justice Department investigation that found widespread use of excessive force by staff at upstate psychiatric care facilities for mentally ill children, this new edition of Child Welfare Watch identifies shortcomings in mental health services and explores possible solutions, including the expansion of alternatives to…

This report presents a comparison of characteristics of youth authority wards committed from 1975 to 1984 in California. Data for first commitments is offered for four offense categories: (1) violent offenses; (2) property offenses; (3) narcotic and drug offenses; and (4) other offenses. Major shifts in characteristics are highlighted at the…

This article discusses the provisions of the 1908 "Juvenile Delinquents Act," the first Canadian nationwide legislation addressing the problem of juvenile delinquency, and presents a brief look at major changes that would take effect with the proposed "Young Persons in Conflict with the Law" act. (MJB)

This paper reports findings from the Evaluation of Teen Courts Project, which studied teen courts in Alaska, Arizona, Maryland, and Missouri. Researchers measured pre-court attitudes and post-court (6-month) recidivism among more than 500 juveniles referred to teen court for nonviolent offenses. The study compared recidivism outcomes for teen…

In commemoration of the juvenile court's centennial, the Justice Policy Institute of the Center on Juvenile and Criminal Justice and the Children and Family Justice Center of Northwestern University School of Law profiled 25 individuals who were petitioned into juvenile court as serious delinquents when they were young and then turned their lives…

Describes the Ventura Restitution Project which is aimed at making juvenile offenders understand the ramifications of their behavior and making it clear that they have a direct responsibility for their actions. Journal available from National Office for Social Responsibility, 208 North Washington, Alexandria, VA 22314. (CT)

The Gault mandate of the right to defense counsel has led to greater prosecution representation of the community interest at adjudicatory hearings. State legislatures, responding to public concerns regarding juvenile crime, are rapidly placing prosecutors in decisional roles at juvenile intake. (Author)

Describes the arguments of those supporting removal of the juvenile status offender from court jurisdiction, as well as the case presented by defenders of the system for retaining court jurisdiction over status offenders. (CM)

Presents an examination of the prevalence and characteristics of mentally handicapped juvenile offenders; discusses the kinds of offenses committed by the group and how the juvenile justice system responds. Reviews existing training programs and makes a case for the implementation of programs that should provide skills necessary for these…

The present study is a preliminary investigation into the development of a parent self-report instrument, the Juvenile Offender Parent Questionnaire (JOPQ). A large pool of items was rationally derived from a model of parent competency and then administered to 243 parents of children who were making appearances in juvenile court. Exploratory…

This fact sheet presents statistics on delinquency cases resulting in probation, 2002. Probation was the disposition in 38 percent of all delinquency cases processed by the juvenile courts in 2002. The number of cases placed on probation increased 44 percent between 1985 and 2002. Property offense cases made up the greatest proportion of the…

School administrators, teachers, parents, and juvenile justice officials have long been concerned about the problem of truancy in schools, especially since truancy has been linked to problem behaviors, including academic failure, school dropout, and delinquency. Thus, the prevention of truancy and programs designed to break the cycle of chronic…

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…

This document contains prepared statements and witness testimony from the Congressional hearing on the pretrial detention of juveniles. The opening statement of Senator Arlen Specter, subcommittee chairman, is presented, focusing on the concerns arising from the Supreme Court decision in the case of Schall versus Martin (New York) which supports…