Question 1. Intake officers may utilize their own powers of observation, feelings, and past experiences rather than a list of specific decision-making criteria to determine what they believe is in the best interest of each juvenile and the community. The long-term effects of intake decision making can be serious and have profound implications for juvenile offenders (Toth, 2005). Do you think juveniles should have more constitutional protections (e.g. attorney) during the intake proceeding? Why or why not?
Question 2. Should confidentiality of juvenile records and juvenile court proceedings be maintained? Why, or why not?
What are some reasons for removing confidentiality surrounding juvenile records and opening juvenile courts to the general public?
Question 3. What is a predisposition report? Who prepares this report? How are such reports used for determining a juvenile's disposition?
Question 4. How might parents with good intentions have a negative affect on the juvenile court process and the dispositional outcome for the juvenile?