Overview of the JJ System In-Depth View of Policing Juveniles

The Juvenile Justice System Really a “system?” Really a “system?” –Some argue that the CJS is not really a system –The JJS is in some respects a series of “add- ons” to the criminal justice system

The Legislature Establishes jurisdiction Establishes jurisdiction –At what age is an adolescent no longer a “juvenile?” –For what crimes might a 15 year old be “waived” to adult court? Local legislators pass “ordinances” Local legislators pass “ordinances” –Loitering –Curfews

The Cops For juveniles—city cops and sheriffs For juveniles—city cops and sheriffs –Feds typically turn over juveniles to local authorities Police as the gatekeepers of CJS and JJS Police as the gatekeepers of CJS and JJS –Primary source of juvenile court referrals –Discretion is key research and policy issue Police determine proper jurisdiction Police determine proper jurisdiction

Juvenile Intake The Link between the police and the juvenile court The Link between the police and the juvenile court –No real CJS counterpart An “intake officer” screens cases An “intake officer” screens cases –Like police, they have a great deal of discretion—they can “Divert” cases! –Intake hearing may be formal or informal Some are similar to adult “PSI” Some are similar to adult “PSI”

Prosecutors of Juveniles Typically get the most “serious” cases Typically get the most “serious” cases Broad discretion in how they dispose of cases Broad discretion in how they dispose of cases Important decision: Important decision: –File petition or act on petition filed by police –But, cases can go to court without petition

Judge/Adjudication Most proceedings now fairly formal Most proceedings now fairly formal –Adversarial process –Judge hears both sides and makes decision Should youth be adjudicated “delinquent” Should youth be adjudicated “delinquent” Are youths in “need of supervision” Are youths in “need of supervision” Dispositions for adjudicated youth Dispositions for adjudicated youth –Nominal –Conditional –Custodial

Juvenile Corrections Range of “sanctions” or “dispositions” similar to adult corrections Range of “sanctions” or “dispositions” similar to adult corrections –State “industrial schools” as prisons –Smaller, “non-secure” placements –Range of intermediate sanctions –Juvenile Probation

The Police and Juveniles Da do do do, da da da da, that’s all I’ve got to say to you…. Da do do do, da da da da, that’s all I’ve got to say to you…. History History –First police departments = 1830s-1840s –First attempts to formally deal with juveniles? Policewomen hired to work with delinquents and runaways (early 1900s) Policewomen hired to work with delinquents and runaways (early 1900s) Police Athletic League launched in the 1920s Police Athletic League launched in the 1920s In mid 1920s, August Vollmer forms first “youth bureau”—spread rapidly in the 1930s In mid 1920s, August Vollmer forms first “youth bureau”—spread rapidly in the 1930s

Current Specialization Juvenile Officers Juvenile Officers Juvenile Units Juvenile Units Gang Control Units Gang Control Units

Police Culture and Juveniles No status in working with juveniles No status in working with juveniles –No celebrated “arrests” (not a “real” arrest) How are police rewarded? How are police rewarded? –Often warned and released by courts “Kiddie Court” “Kiddie Court” –Due Process measures have made job more difficult

Police Discretion What are the range of options available to Police? What are the range of options available to Police? What factors constrain discretion? What factors constrain discretion? What extra-legal factors drive police decision making? What extra-legal factors drive police decision making?

Attitudes of Juveniles Towards the Police Who is likely to have “issues” with the men in blue? Who is likely to have “issues” with the men in blue? –Males –Minorities (esp. A.A.) –Older Juveniles –Members of the lower class Where do these attitudes come from? Where do these attitudes come from? –Experience with police vs. Culture/Environment

Police and Procedural Law State v. Lowery (1967) State v. Lowery (1967) –Exclusionary rule New Jersey vs. T.L.O. (1985) New Jersey vs. T.L.O. (1985) –School searches

Other Police Related Controversies Should Juvenile Records be “Sealed” or “expunged?” Should Juvenile Records be “Sealed” or “expunged?” Should juveniles be: Should juveniles be: –Fingerprinted –Photographed

Community Policing Direct engagement with residents Direct engagement with residents Proactive crime prevention Proactive crime prevention Decentralized operations (familiar with neighborhood) Decentralized operations (familiar with neighborhood) Citizens as partners Citizens as partners “Problem Oriented Policing” “Problem Oriented Policing”