The Juvenile Delinquency Guidelines, published in Summer 2005, is a benchbook of best practices that was developed by a committee of judges, a Chief Justice, prosecutors, defense attorneys, juvenile justice practitioners, and other professionals representing key stakeholders in the juvenile justice system, through the support of the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention.

In an effort to set forth the essential elements of effective practice in juvenile delinquency cases, the publication identifies 16 key principles for juvenile delinquency courts, as well as recommended best practices throughout the juvenile delinquency court process – from determining whether a case should in fact enter the system, to whether the youth should remain under juvenile court jurisdiction or be transferred to criminal court, and to post-disposition review of the reentry process when the youth returns to the community. The document will be instrumental in assisting the nation’s current juvenile justice systems to plan for improvement and change.

The Juvenile Delinquency Guidelines can be downloaded below. You can order a printed copy ($35) through our online store by clicking here, or contact us at JDG@ncjfcj.org or by phone at (775) 784-6012.  

Please click on the individual chapter titles below to download each chapter.

Front Cover

Introduction

Chapter I - Foundations For a Juvenile Delinquency Court of Excellence

Chapter II - General Issues Relating to the Juvenile Delinquency Court Process

Chapter III - Initiating the Juvenile Delinquency Court Process

Chapter IV - The Detention or Initial Hearing

Chapter V - Hearings on Motions to Waive Juvenile Delinquency Court Jurisdiction and Transfer Jurisdiction to Criminal Court

Chapter VI - The Trial/Adjudication Hearing

Chapter VII - The Disposition Hearing

Chapter VIII - The Appeals Process

Chapter IX - Post-Disposition Review of Delinquent Youth Who Remain in the Home with Court Ordered Services

Chapter X - Post-Disposition Review of Delinquent Youth Placed Out of the Home by Juvenile Delinquency Court Order

Chapter XI - Probation and Parole Violations

Chapter XII - The Journey to Becoming a Juvenile Delinquency Court of Excellence

Glossary of Terms

Appendices

Back Cover

Checklists

The Detention or Initial Hearing Checklist

Waiver and Transfer Hearing Checklist

The Trial/Adjudication Hearing Checklist

The Disposition Hearing Checklist

Post-Disposition Review (In Home) Checklist

Post-Disposition Review (Out of Home) Checklist

Probation & Parole Violation Hearing Checklist