Contents

About OJJDP

Foreword

Acknowledgments

Preface

Introduction
Methodology, Uses, and Limitations

Chapter I: The Scope of Juvenile Violence

Trends and Causes
Overview

What Caused the Increase?
Juveniles and Murder
Anatomy of Violence

Juveniles and Firearms: A Closer Look
Where Juveniles Get Guns

Prognosis for the Future
A Dissenting Voice

Chapter II: Issues and Trends in State Juvenile Justice Reform

Introduction

Prevention
What Works?
Recent State Action

Curfew
Pros and Cons
Judicial Interpretation of the Constitutionality of Curfews
Recent Initiatives

Parental Responsibility Laws

Combating Street Gangs
The Spread of Gangs
Gangs, Drugs, and Violence
Approaches to Gang Control and Intervention
State Initiatives
Local Initiatives
Multijurisdictional Initiatives
Gang Prosecution

The Movement Toward Graduated Sanctions
Recent State Action

Juvenile Boot Camps
Evaluation of Juvenile Boot Camps
Recent State Action

Youth and Guns
Possession, Licensing, and Transfer of Firearms
Gun-Free Schools and Transfer Provisions

Juvenile Proceedings and Records
Juvenile Proceedings
Juvenile Records
Other Administrative Responses

Juvenile Transfer to Criminal Court
Types of Juvenile Transfers
Transfer Provisions and Trends
Offenders Judicially Waived to Criminal Court
Impact of Waiver and Transfer

Sentencing Authority
Effectiveness of Expanded Sentencing Authority

Chapter III: Selected Case Studies of Juvenile Reform Initiatives

Colorado: Review of Children's Code Brings Significant Change for
Juvenile Justice Administration
Introduction
Impetus for Reform: A Summer of Violence
Task Force for the Recodification of the Children's Code
The Juvenile Justice Subcommittee Findings and Recommendations
Legislative Oversight Committee Action
Elements of Reform
House Bill 96­1005
Implementation and Outlook

Connecticut: Balancing Service and Public Safety Objectives in Juvenile
Justice System Reform
Introduction
Impetus for Reform
Elements of Reform
The Reform Strategy
Expedited Contruction
Transfer of Juveniles
New Funding
Transfer of Juvenile Justice Centers
Implementing Reform
A Window of Opportunity
Sustaining Momentum

Ohio: Sharing Responsibility for Administration of Juvenile Justice
Introduction
RECLAIM Ohio
Elements of Reform
Reform Strategy
A Skillful, Strategic Choice for Public Peace
A Context Conducive to Change
Moving Toward the Future
Amended Substitute House Bill 1

Oregon: Making Juvenile Offenders Accountable
Introduction
Impetus for Reform
Elements of Reform
Equalizing Service Needs
The Reform Strategy
Implementing Reform
Making Things Happen
The State Ballot Initiative
Realizing Reform Objectives

Chapter IV: Observations Concerning State Juvenile Justice Reform

Recommendations

Conclusion