Effects of Individual and Contextual Characteristics on Preadjudication Detention of Juvenile Delinquents

This study examined individual and contextual factors affecting preadjudication detention of juvenile delinquents in 65 counties of a northeastern state. Results demonstrated that while individual characteristics of the juvenile delinquents were important predictors, much of the variation in decisions was explained when contextual factors of the counties were included in a two‐level hierarchical linear model. In addition to the statistically significant legal and extralegal juvenile characteristics, our study found that counties with a higher percentage of non‐White population were more likely to detain juvenile delinquents prior to adjudication. These findings demonstrate the importance of considering both individual and contextual factors of jurisdictions when examining the adjudication process.     

审判公开的限度——以未成年人刑事审判为例

为了保护未成年人利益,对未成年人刑事案件不公开审判,这是审判公开原则的例外.其基本含义是审判过程不公开,其衍生规则包括:诉讼材料不公开、判决不公开、对其媒体报道要进行限制.但是,未成年人刑事案件不公开也是有限度的,必须在与正当程序、被告人利益、新闻自由等利益平衡后确定是否公开审判,以确保未成年人利益与公众知情权的合理平衡.     

网络时代背景下的青少年犯罪问题研究

网络导致青少年沉迷于网络游戏、网络聊天、网络色情和网络制作;青少年网络成瘾既有外在原因,也有内部原因;青少年网络成瘾带来了许多负面影响,它导致了青少年民族传统的淡化、道德意识的弱化、人际交往的异化、抽象思维的退化,还导致青少年产生人格障碍。当务之急是趋利避害,采取加强网络监管、网德建设、信息防范、网站建设,以及净化网络参与途径等措施去预防和控制网络引发青少年犯罪的因素,去克服网络对青少年的负面影响,为青少年健康成长铺平道路。     

Adolescent Co-occurring Disorders Treatment: Clinicians' Attitudes,Values, and Knowledge

This study examined community-based clinicians’ (N = 294) attitudes, background/experiences, values, and knowledge relating to issues of co-occurring disorders, which occur at a high rate among adolescents involved in the juvenile justice system. Study results reveal that clinicians self-rate their clinical values and attitudes at or above the expected level of competency, but they concede that their skill and knowledge levels are not adequate. Comparison measures reveal that employment setting conditions, geographic region, hours worked per week, and strongly held convictions about the importance of integrated mental health and substance use disorders service delivery distinguish clinicians’ co-occurring disorders knowledge levels. Implications are offered.     

An Examination of the Relationship Between Media Exposure and Fear of Victimization: Implications of the Superpredator Narrative on Juvenile Justice Policies

The media allow crime to infiltrate the public’s consciousness in every conceivable way, thereby playing a major role in shaping the public’s opinion and attitude toward crime and crime issues (Barak, 1995; Fields & Jerin, 1996; Kappeler & Potter, 2005). Reporters constantly talk about crime, and crime related stories dominate the headlines of local and national newspaper outlets (Dowler, 2003; Pizarro et al, 2007). Some of the most highly rated television programs are based on crime plots and people across social, political, and racial demographics are constantly engaged in crime dialogue generated from local or national news stories. When the focus of these mediums is on youth they become even more profound and contentious. The images portrayed conjure up stereotypes that lead to fear and inflammatory remarks that become entrenched into the national lexicon. The current study uses data from the National Opinion Survey of Crime and Justice to test the relationship between crime-related media viewership and fear of victimization within a nationally representative adult sample. Approximately 42.67% of respondents reported regularly watching crime shows and about the same proportion (42.83%) believed their local media paid too much attention to violent crime. In addition to regular crime-show viewership, confidence in the police, gender, and recent contact with the police were associated with fear of victimization. This article adds to an existing body of research through a largely unexplored area in the administration of justice. It does so within the context of the U.S. juvenile justice system.     

Feedback on Forensic Mental Health Assessments in a Juvenile Court Clinic Certification Program

Public-sector mental health systems have set forth specialized practice competencies for forensic mental health clinicians conducting court-ordered examinations. This study examined a sample of feedback letters to clinicians who submitted mid-training and final reports for review as part of the requirements for certification as a juvenile court clinician. The most common feedback points were insufficient/irrelevant historical data, problems with clarity/organization of the report, problems with interview/mental status examination, and problems with competency to stand trial data/opinions. Clinicians had fewer deficiencies in their final report compared to their mid-training report, supporting the perspective that forensic training and supervision is associated with better quality reports.     

MI Implementation in Juvenile Justice: A Case Report

Motivational interviewing (MI) is a communication style focused on enhancing clients’ own motivation towards change. In the justice system MI has evidence to support that it enhances communication and change behaviors in youth. As most MI training is designed for healthcare settings training and implementation of MI must be adapted to fit the juvenile justice model. This includes both rehabilitation and restorative justice. Here we describe the details that allowed one county small county in Pennsylvania to roll out MI training and initial skills review in less than 6 months. The case reviews the details of planning, trainings, and timing of activities. We then discuss what elements of those details fit into a greater implementation plan that may be applied elsewhere. Four key elements were instrumental to implementation: 1) appreciation of JPO time constraints, 2) cost containment 3) using blending to enhance JPO flexibility with MI use, and 4) policies that normalize use of MI. This outline may assist other courts in their own implementation efforts.     

福建在押未成年犯健康状况及影响因素分析

以福建省未成年管教所14~16周岁在押未成年犯为研究对象,通过文献资料法、访谈法、问卷调查法、统计法等,对其身体健康状况进行分析,家庭教育的缺失是造成他们思想和行为"叛逆"的最主要原因,而家长与孩子之间的平等交流太少,没有给孩子倾诉自己心声的机会,一些孩子沉迷网络游戏、崇尚血腥暴力、甚至感染了"黄色病毒",网络上充斥的"暴力"、"色情"和"为朋友赴汤蹈火,为哥们两肋插刀"的心态在少年犯罪中尤为突出。因此,14~16周岁是一个人健康成长的关键期,如何使他们身体健康、心理健康还能具备良好的社会适应能力应该引起家长、学校、社会的高度重视。     

对未成年人犯罪从宽处罚问题的探讨

我国刑法对于未成年人犯罪,在量刑上采取教育、感化、挽救的方针,确立了教育为主、惩罚为辅的原则。司法实践中,应当从多个方面落实刑法规定的量刑原则,对犯罪的未成年人从宽处罚,如不适用死刑、适用轻刑化量刑原则、对犯罪情节轻微者免予刑事处罚、尽量适用缓刑以减少关押、正确合理地适用附加刑等。     

未成年人犯罪记录封存与消灭制度国际经验之借鉴

我国新《刑事诉讼法》首次规定了犯罪记录封存制度,具有值得肯定的进步意义。通过对相关国际经验的分析归纳及我国与相关国家在制度启动主体、启动条件及例外情况考量等方面的综合比较,指出我国《刑事诉讼法》第275条存在的缺陷,提出完善我国犯罪记录封存制度的立法建议。