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Developing a Model Written Policy Governing Access to Court Records “Provides state officials with a framework and a guide that will assist them in making the difficult choices appropriate for their state and local jurisdiction in developing their own policies.” With support from SJI, the model policy is a product of the Conference of Chief Justices and the Conference of State Court Administrators. Can be downloaded at this page. “Provides state officials with a framework and a guide that will assist them in making the difficult choices appropriate for their state and local jurisdiction in developing their own policies.” With support from SJI, the model policy is a product of the Conference of Chief Justices and the Conference of State Court Administrators. Can be downloaded at this page. ++++++++++ New Juvenile Compact The new Interstate Compact for Juveniles significantly updates the 48-year-old mechanism for tracking and supervising juveniles that move across state borders Download a copy of the new compact, background information about the compact, or a copy of the original Juvenile Compact at the end of this article. A very thorough Resource Kit can be read/downloaded here too. Also see the Resource Kit which is 99 pages chock full of such resources as eligibility, cooperative supervision, a fiscal note, forms, return provisions, and case studies. +++++++++ Consortium for Court Interpreter Certification - Members pool their financial and knowledge resources to develop comprehensive, statewide mechanisms to ensure that interpreters possess the level of skill required for interpreting in the courts. ++++++++++ Troubled Kids, Troubled Courts: A Call to New England’s Juvenile Court Judges and State Policymakers This newly released report from the New England Juvenile Defender’s Center focuses on state levels of support for juvenile court judges. It examines five areas affecting juvenile court judges and offers recommendations on reform:  | How judicial appointments are made | | Judges’ caseload size | | Training and education for judges | | Judicial retention policies | | Judges lack of familiarity with the facilities to which they commit youth and the communities in which youth life. |
At this page you can read/ download the pdf files for the Executive Summary (4 pages) or the Full Report (76 pages) ++++++++++ MacArthur Foundation Juvenile Adjudicative Competence Study – The Details Last week Brevity reported on the results of a new study funded by the MacArthur Foundation to study juvenile competence to stand trial. At this link you can read a 4 page summary of the study results or examine the complete research report. ++++++++++ Research Says Thousands of Juveniles Tried as Adults May Be Incompetent to Stand Trial A study released Monday, March 3, examined 1,400 males and females in four jurisdictions. Researchers found that one-third of the 11 to 13 year olds studied and 20 percent of those 14 or 15 years old have levels of reasoning and awareness comparable to mentally ill adults judged not competent to stand trial. Researchers concluded that age and intelligence were the most significant factors in determining a youth’s ability to understand the judicial process. They studied 11 to 24 year olds in Los Angeles , Philadelphia , north Florida and northern and eastern Virginia . Half of those studied were in juvenile detention. Half were living in the community. When compared to young adults -- Children 11 to 13 were more than three times as likely to be found “seriously impaired” in understanding the judicial process and aiding their own defense. in understanding the judicial process and aiding their own defense. Children 14 or 15 were twice as likely to be seriously impaired in such awareness and reasoning. Listen to an NPR report on the research or read the newspaper article. ++++++++++ JUMPSTART Training and Resource Manual for Newly Assigned Juvenile Prosecutors (scroll down the page) The manual serves as the core curriculum for training for new juvenile prosecutors, but it is also a stand alone reference manual containing 33 chapters ranging from ethics to school searches and seizures, mental health issues, gangs and other criminal law issues. The manual is available to everyone who attends a JUMPSTART training course. Some of the chapters in the manual are available to read/download at the NDAA web site. I read some of these and, while the treatment is uneven from subject to subject, much of it is valuable. I found the following to be helpful: Prosecution of Hate Crimes, Animal Cruelty, Juvenile Crime Prevention, Graffiti. Innovative Approaches to Juvenile Indigent Defense – Juvenile Justice Bulletin describes ABA/OJJDP collaboration to provide effective legal representation to juvenile defendants. Includes descriptions of operating programs from around the country. Eight pages. Downloadable pdf. Juvenile Justice Bulletin describes ABA/OJJDP collaboration to provide . Includes descriptions of operating programs from around the country. Eight pages. Downloadable pdf. ++++++++++ Texas Appleseed The Appleseed Foundation is an organization with centers in states around the country. Appleseed addresses such issues as access to justice, children’s advocacy, civil rights, consumer protection, good government, health care, and immigration. The is an organization with centers in states around the country. Appleseed addresses such . The mission of Texas Appleseed, for instance, is to promote justice for all Texans by working to give a voice to individuals and groups otherwise overlooked in the legal process. IThe Fair Defense Juvenile Project has published two documents dealing with the special needs of juvenile defendants and their families: | Navigating the Juvenile Justice System: A Handbook for Juveniles and Their Families. If you’re thinking about putting something like this together in your jurisdiction, this handbook would be a good place to start. Downloadable, published September, 2002, about 20 pages. | | Juvenile Practice is Not Child’s Play: A Handbook for Attorneys Who Represent Juveniles in Texas – This handbook is “an attempt to summarize the most important aspects of juvenile law for a new practitioner, and to offer some additional ideas and strategies to any juvenile defense attorney.” Downloadable, published September, 2002, about 45 pages. |
++++++++++ South Africa’s Rape Courts The Christian Science Monitor reports on the 29 rape courts created by the government solely to deal with sexual assault crimes because rape is so prevalent in South Africa and conviction rates are so low. This unique experiment has proved so successful that the government now plans to more than double the number of rape courts by the end of next year. The new courts have halved the waiting time for trials while giving more weight to the rights of victims and giving prosecutors more time to develop cases. The reports on because rape is so prevalent in South Africa and conviction rates are so low. This unique experiment has proved so successful that the government now plans to more than double the number of rape courts by the end of next year. Juvenile Attorney Certification Program This new program creates a specialty certification for children’s lawyers. Created by the National Association of Counsel for Children, the program is modeled after the medical profession’s board certification practices. Once the program is operational it will designate attorneys who have made certification requirements in child welfare and/or juvenile delinquency law. This new program . Created by the National Association of Counsel for Children, the program is . Once the program is operational it will designate attorneys who have made certification requirements in child welfare and/or juvenile delinquency law. A NACC University of Michigan pilot program is under way at the U of M School of Law to certify lawyers who specialize in child welfare law. ++++++++++ Newspaper series on the effects of opening abuse and neglect hearings Barbara White Stack, a reporter for the Pittsburgh Post Gazette did a very comprehensive look at the issue of confidentiality in abuse and neglect cases about a year ago. As usual, I found it when I was looking for something else. This is a very good series, but it’s a long one (about 35 pages) and it will take you some time to download all the different articles. Barbara White Stack, a reporter for the did about a year ago. As usual, I found it when I was looking for something else. This is a very good series, but it’s a long one (about 35 pages) and it will take you some time to download all the different articles. I’ll make you the same offer I’ve made in the past: Send me an email telling me you want a copy of the series along with your mailing address and I’ll make you a copy of mine. To get a feel for the flavor of the series you’ll find links for a couple of the articles below. Minnesota Supreme Court orders all hearings and most court records regarding abuse and neglected children be opened to the public. Opening juvenile courts: Children should not be numbers ++++++++++ ++++++++++ Report on an Automated Court System This report is a little hard to describe, but interesting to read. It is a draft sample court report on dependency case processing based on automated performance data. The report was written by Mark Hardin and Molly Hicks. Click on the link above then click again to get to a downloadable copy of the report. While you’re at the National Child Welfare Resource Center on Legal and Judicial Issues you might want to look around. This report is a little hard to describe, but interesting to read. It is a based on automated performance data. The report was written by Mark Hardin and Molly Hicks. Click on the link above then click again to get to a downloadable copy of the report. While you’re at the you might want to look around. ++++++++++ Virginia : An Assessment of Access to Counsel and Quality of Representation in Delinquency Proceedings This new report from the ABA finds that Virginia ’s method for providing constitutionally-required defense services for children in the delinquency system is seriously flawed. It also points out that youth of color in Virginia are overrepresented and treated differently at every stage in the juvenile justice system. This report follows the release of ABA studies on juvenile defense in Louisiana , Georgia , and Kentucky , in which similar findings were found. Downloadable at the ABA Juvenile Indigent Defense site as pdf files. ++++++++++ ++++++++++ Statistics, Definitions, and Answers to Questions About Juvenile Courts A couple of very good, very reliable sources for information about the juvenile justice system. A couple of very good, very reliable sources for information about the juvenile justice system. National Center for Juvenile Justice FAQs – The NCJJ FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions) pages on its web site are an instant resource for information about the movement of children into and out of the juvenile courts of the country. This particular link will tell you about juvenile transfer. Be sure to bookmark this site. When you see a citation printed in bright blue you can click on it and see the complete document. Frequently Asked Questions about Juveniles in Court - If you have occasion to answer questions about kids and the juvenile courts of the country you might want to bookmark this page from the OJJDP Statistical Briefing Book. ++++++++++ An Honest Chance: Perspectives on Drug Courts This link does not deal with kids, but it is an interesting look at adult drug courts and the experiences of the people who come before them. You may want to look at the Executive Summary first and then go to The Courtroom Experience. This section contains the comments of adult drug court participants in response to a series of questions asked in focus groups. At this link click on the italicized sentences to read excerpts from the comments of focus group participants about their best and worst experiences in adult drug court and their perception of the role of the judge in this special court. This link does not deal with kids, but it is an interesting look at adult drug courts and the experiences of the people who come before them. You may want to and . This section contains the comments of adult drug court participants in response to a series of questions asked in focus groups. At this link click on the italicized sentences to read excerpts from the comments of focus group participants about their best and worst experiences in adult drug court and their perception of the role of the judge in this special court. ++++++++++ Immigrants in Courts This reference book describes the legal and cultural systems under which many immigrants were raised. It looks at the legal systems of four countries – China, Mexico, Russia, and Vietnam -- and the Muslim world. The book describes the formal legal system in each, how the general public perceives the legal system, and how these perceptions affect expectations when people immigrate to the United States . Read more about the book and get ordering information at the UW Press web site. 264 pages. $19.95 This reference book . It looks at the legal systems of four countries – . The book describes the formal legal system in each, how the general public perceives the legal system, and how these perceptions affect expectations when people immigrate to the United States . . 264 pages. $19.95 +++++++++ Using Videoconferencing in Juvenile Facilities The Juvenile Info Network at Corrections.com reports on an innovative and cost effective use of videoconferencing. Visits and court appearances via videoconferencing reduces the number of times individuals leave their facilities and opens up educational opportunities to staff who supervise serious and violent offenders in secure facilities in Pennsylvania. Probation officers can conduct visits via videoconference. Family visits are conducted the same way. Family counseling can be conducted with this technology as well. The 15 station network is also used for staff training. All this and it saves $$ too. at Corrections.com reports on an . reduces the number of times individuals leave their facilities and to staff who supervise serious and violent offenders in secure facilities in Pennsylvania. Probation officers can conduct visits via videoconference. are conducted the same way. Family counseling can be conducted with this technology as well. The 15 station network is also used for staff training. All this and it saves $$ too. ++++++++++ Now in Spanish, What’s Happening in Court? An Activity book for Children Who are Going to Court in California Intended to provide children and families in the California court system who are not proficient in English with information the on the court system and on court proceedings that children may encounter. Meant to be used as a teaching tool to foster conversations between children and adults about the court system and as an activity book that gives children something to do while they wait in the courthouse. Downloadable at http://www.courtinfo.ca.gov/programs/children.htm For copies of the book to distribute, call 415-865-7739 or email CFCC@jud.ca.gov ++++++++++ Parental Involvement Practices of Juvenile Courts This new report from the ABA Center on Children and the law describes research to identify and examine ways courts involve parents, by providing notice of court proceedings to each parent; requiring parental participation in parenting education; and occasional sanctions against parents. Includes findings from a national survey of juvenile judges and probation officers; site studies of six juvenile courts in three states; a description of 12 specific juvenile and parent education programs; and recommendations for implementing parent involvement in juvenile court proceedings. Available from the ABA for $14.95. Ordering details at this link. Read the executive summary of this report online. ++++++++++ Juvenile Gun Courts: Promoting Accountability and Providing Treatment - This new JAIBG Bulletin examines juvenile gun courts, targeted interventions that expose youth charged with gun offenses to the ramifications of involvement in such acts. Draw on the experience of policymakers and practitioners. Reviews the Jefferson County, Alabama Juvenile Gun Court. ++++++++++ A Judge’s Guide to Juveniles Before the Adult Criminal Court This benchbook was developed as the outgrowth of a course developed by the National Judicial College and The National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges and prevented to nationwide audiences of judges. Steven Weller, J.D., Ph.D. and Robin E Wosje, J.D., editors. Downloadable. Load up your printer. The benchbook is 141 pages. Pages 11 and 12 of the pdf (not the document page numbering) will give you the Table of Contents. ++++++++++ Miami-Dade Juvenile Assessment Center The Juvenile Assessment Center (JAC) is a centralized processing, referral and evaluation center for all juveniles arrested in Miami-Dade County, Florida. The facility opened in 1997 and currently processes over 15,000 youth per year. With funding from the Department of Justice the JAC is conducting a demonstration project designed to help build a comprehensive service delivery system, including prevention and intervention services, for youth involved with the Miami-Dade JAC. Read the details here. ++++++++++ Friend of the Court Calhoun County , Michigan has a nice web site that includes a downloadable Model Friend of the Court Handbook. The Handbook provides information about the Michigan Friend of the Court operations, duties of the Friend of the Court, a glossary of terms and details on divorce, custody, parenting time (visitation) and the child support enforcement program. A companion document, Friend of the Court Overview, provides the reader with a history of the development of the Friend of the Court program in Michigan ++++++++++ Resources from the ABA’s Juvenile Justice Center Web Site National Juvenile Defender Center – The Center, which provides training and technical assistance, was created to respond to the critical need to build the capacity of the juvenile defense and bar to improve access to counsel and quality of representation for delinquency and criminal proceedings. At the site you will find nine regional centers and a form to complete that will give you more information about either the National Center or the regions. You’ll also find addresses and phone numbers here. ++++++++++ Reports From the National Center for State Courts The Survey of Judicial Salaries, Summer 2001 reviews salaries for chief and associate justices, judges of intermediate appellate courts, judges of general jurisdiction trial courts, and for state court administrators. Both brief reviews of these statistics are available as well as state-by-state information. To get to the report click on it at the main page. The Annual Report on Trends in the State Courts 2001 contains sections that may be of interest to you: court security issues, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Pro Se, court interpreters. I have just received another NCSC report in the mail that is not yet available on their web site. A chapter in Examining the Work of State Courts, 2002 notes that juvenile filings in state courts declined 4.4 percent from 1998 to 2000. The majority were delinquency at 61 percent of juvenile cases. Child victim cases accounted for 19 percent of the caseload. Status offenses were another 16 percent. Three percent, “Other.” If you’re interested in this publication contact NCSC at 757-253-2000. ++++++++++ ABA ’s Immigration Pro Bono Development Project This web page describes the ABA ’s immigration program to promote immigrants’ equal access to our justice system. The information on immigrant children should be of particular interest. The INS detains more than 4,600 children annually in the U.S. at 95 facilities across the country. This web page describes the ABA ’s immigration program to promote immigrants’ equal access to our justice system. The information on immigrant children should be of particular interest. The INS detains more than 4,600 children annually in the U.S. at 95 facilities across the country. ++++++++++ A Juvenile Justice System Guidebook for Youth and Parents (click on "Guidebook") The South Dakota Coalition for Children has published a guidebook for children, youth and their families who come in contact with the State’s juvenile justice system. The Coalition conducted listening meetings and interviewed youth who had been in the juvenile justice system. They talked with their parents in telephone interviews. The Coalition also interviewed judges, a state’s attorney, court services staff, and a public defender, who were all asked what they thought youth and parents should know and what advice they would give. The South Dakota Juvenile Justice System: A Guidebook for Youth and Parents is addressed to youth, but could be equally valuable to bewildered parents. Twenty pages. Downloadable. |
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