District of Columbia juvenile delinquency proceddings; apprehension to disposition

While all agencies connected with the dentention and treatment of juveniles in the District of Columbia issue annual reports which are available to the public, indications are that a widespread unawareness exists in both bar and judiciary as to the nature, purpose and efffectiveness of the socio-legal system governing the disposition of the District's juvenile offenders. Since a concern for this system is a logical incident of any sensitivity toward the future of order and tranquility of society, the purpose of this note is essentially informational, to familiarize lawyers with the procedures and practices employed by the District of Columbia and the United States Governments from the time a youth is apprehended by police until he is either returned on probation to his home or committed to a jovenile training school, in either contingency by the Juvenile Court of the District of Columbia acting pursuant to the provisions of the Juvenile Court Act.