Changes in how Illinois courts handle juvenile cases may result from recent research at the SIU Law School.

Surveys of how the juvenile court system functions in the First and Second Judicial Circuits revealed a need for greater communication and a more collaborative, less adversarial approach among those involved in juvenile cases, according to Mary Rudasill, clinic director and associate professor at the law school.

"Better decisions might be made for the family and for the children if more information is shared prior to the court proceedings," she says. "There is seldom a meeting of the agency people and the prosecutor and the public defender, even though the purpose of the Juvenile Court Act is to help the family and help the kids."

As a part of the research, project coordinator November Davison sent surveys to judges, prosecutors, public defenders, and Illinois Department of Children and Family Services personnel who handle juvenile and neglect cases within the two judicial circuits, which comprise 21 counties in southern and southeastern Illinois. George Vineyard, of SIUC's Center for Basic Skills, compiled the survey results.

The responses noted a desire for more training regarding the Illinois Juvenile Court Act, training for attorneys and judges on DCFS policies, more meetings between attorneys and caseworkers before adjudicatory hearings, and judges permanently assigned to juvenile court on a circuit basis.

The latter suggestion has already been presented to an Illinois Supreme Court study committee on juvenile justice. Unlike other court cases, juvenile cases involving abuse and neglect have components of criminal and civil law. They also are lengthy affairs, with disposition hearings and follow-up reviews. The survey indicated a need for judges who not only are well educated about juvenile law and agency services, but who can devote the time necessary to become more familiar with individual cases.

The SIU Law School received a grant from the Administrative Office of Illinois Courts to conduct the research and host an interdisciplinary, two-day training conference on the juvenile court system last year.

--by Pete Rosenbery, Media & Communication Resources

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