The Requirement of Restitution for Juvenile Offenders.

A growing awareness of and concern about rapidly increasing juvenile crime rates coupled with a revitalized concern for victims have generated a disillusionment with many traditional and diversionary methods of handling juvenile offenders. Restitution is regarded by many as the most promising, logical, and effective means of achieving the dual goals of deterrence and punishment. Surveys suggest strong support for juvenile restitution and several stales have recently enacted or amended juvenile restitution statutes. A review of slate juvenile codes reveals that a majority of states generally permit courts to require restitution as a disposition and to determine the amount and form of reparation. A survey of juvenile court judges and probation officers representing fourteen states which permit some form of restitution revealed that about one-third of the courts require it often and two-thirds seldom or never require it. More than half regard it as an effective deterrent. Data shows that the most common form of restitution is money payments; however, there remains much disagreement as to the amount of restitution required. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]