Child Advocacy vs. Appropriate Treatment

Abstract

Abstract During the past ten years, the Juvenile Court System has undergone a major evolution. The concept of parens patriae in which the court has singular benevolent authority has evolved toward an advisary process similar in concept and form to adult court proceedings. Children have acquired many rights and protections under the law. However, practical problems arise which at times, work against a child's chances of receiving the most appropriate treatment, because judges, probation officers, defense attorneys, prosecutors, psychologists and psychiatrists are often unable to work as a team toward common goals. In cities, children and adolescents under 18 years old account for nearly half of all felony arrests. It was estimated in 1974 that over 500,000 juvenile were on formal or informal probation and nearly 30,000 children and adolescents were in custody in state run institutions (Uniform Crime Reports, 1975). Rehabilitation, treatment and the prevention of recidivism are prominent concerns among thos...