Publication Date

1972

Document Type

Dissertation/Thesis

First Advisor

Ferdinand, Theodore N.

Degree Name

M.A. (Master of Arts)

Legacy Department

Department of Sociology

LCSH

Juvenile courts--Illinois

Abstract

This study presents an evaluation of juvenile justice in five northern Illin o is counties by determining the extent to which the juve­nile court is seen by its personnel as satisfying various relevant due process requirements. The results were used to locate areas where the court rates well in satisfying the requirements or demonstrates a need for improvement. A review of the origin and development of the juvenile court and a discussion of the typical problems that have beset the court since its inception are presented to enable the reader to better under­stand the results. Basing the evaluation on the requirements for juvenile due pro­cess, a thorough analysis of Illinois juvenile court legislation and a review of relevant Supreme Court decisions was undertaken to determine the requirements applicable for due process in a juvenile case. A questionnaire was distributed to seventy-two juvenile court personnel to obtain the ratings of the due process requirements and to gather background data on each respondent. Using a factor analysis, four clusters of requirements were isolated that presented profiles indicating that distinct perspectives related to such variables as age, experience, education, and position play an important part in shaping the respon­dent’s evaluation. Further analysis showed that the court rates exceptionally well in satisfying the requirements of the right to legal counsel, the right to a notice of the charges, and the right to protection against cruel and unusual punishments. However, Improvement was found to be necessary with the requirements of the right to protection against unreasonable searches and seizures, the right to appellate review, and the right to a tran­script of the proceedings. The questionable policies of allowing hearsay testimony as evidence, the preadjudication investigation, and treatment before an adjudication still remain.

Comments

Includes bibliographical references.

Extent

viii, 118 pages

Language

eng

Publisher

Northern Illinois University

Rights Statement

In Copyright

Rights Statement 2

NIU theses are protected by copyright. They may be viewed from Huskie Commons for any purpose, but reproduction or distribution in any format is prohibited without the written permission of the authors.

Media Type

Text

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