Functions of the Juvenile Court

TLDR: The first juvenile court was organized in Chicago, July I, 1899 as mentioned in this paper, and was presided over by one of the judges of the circuit court, a court of general, unlimited jurisdiction.

Abstract: The establishment of juvenile courts is the most important development in the field of jurisprudence during the last decade. The first juvenile court was organized in Chicago, July I, 1899. There, the juvenile court is presided over by one of the judges of the circuit court, a court of general, unlimited jurisdiction. The child is not regarded as a criminal. It is, rather, looked upon as needing the fostering care of the state by reason of its delinquency, which evidences the failure of its natural parents to train it to good citizenship. The court proceedings, as far as possible, are similar to proceedings in chancery. In Philadelphia, New York and elsewhere, the court is a criminal court. But, whether equitable or criminal, the attitude of the court toward the child is always the same-not that of a judge inflicting punishment, but the attitude of a father toward an erring child. Dr. Hart did not tell you that the probation officers are used by the judge as investigators to obtain for him the sociological data necessary, that he may correct the wayward children. To do this, the judge must know of the environment of the children. Therefore, prior to the children's arraignment in court, probation officers are sent into their homes to learn the conditions there. Oftentimes