The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1901-08-08
The JUVENILE
COURT BILL
ALL ITS PROVISIONS CANNOT
BE APPLIED HERE.
1t Provides for the Commitment of
Neglected Children and Youthful
Criminals to the Care Of Some
Charitable Association Having
This as One of It's Objects or to the
Charge Of a Probation officer to Be
Paid by Such an Associotion-No
Such Association Here.

The judges of the local courts have
held several informal discussions dur
ing the past few weeks regarding the
local application of the Juvenile court
bill, but have arrived at no definite de-
cision yet, nor will they until after
midsummer court day next week.
The provisions OF this excellent bill
are not as generally known as t.ey
should he and its principal features are
accordingly set forth below.
The children to whom the act applies
are those under the age of 16 years. not
inmates of any state institution. They
are classified as neglected" and de
lnquent." The act defines neglected
children as those who are homeless
or abandoned; who habitually beg or
receive aims; who are found living
amid vicious surroundings and also
those children under years old who
may be found selling any article or
playing any musical instrument on the
streets.
DELINQUENT children" are defined as
those under the age of l6 years who
violate any state law or city or bor-
ough ordinance.
JUVENILE COURT ROOM.
The act provides that the case of
any child coming under its terms shall
be tried by Judge selected by his as
sociates for the purpose, in a special
court room to be known as the "juven-
! lie court room" The findings of this
| special court are to be kept in "A book
to be known as the Juvenile record"
| l..l "a 80
from the regular panel
| Any resident of the county who
knows Of a neglected" or delinquent"
child is authorized by the terms of the
| act to file a petition with the clerk of
the courts, setting forth the facts, veri-
| fled by affidavit. Upon the filing of this
| petition a summons is to be issued, re-
quring the child's parents or guardian
to produce it within twenty-four hours
| before the court.
| If there be no parent or guardian the
| ChildS nearest relative shall be no.
| tilted and if no relative can be found
| the judge stall appoint some one to act
| il the childs behalf. In case the sum-
| mons cannot be served or the parties
| fail u obey it, if served, the court is
| empowered 10 issue a warrant against
the parent. or guardian. or person hav-
| ing custody of the child or against the
child itself.
| The case against those for whom
| the warrant was issued shall be dis
| OSod of in a summary manner, the
| chilG in the meantime to be retained
| in the possession of the person having
charge of it, or may he kept in some
suitable place provided by the city
or county officers, or by any associa-
tion having for one of its objects
the care of delinquent or neglected
| children.
PROBATION OFFICERS.
The unique feature of the act is tn,
possession for the appointment of PRO
baton officers" who shall receive NJ
compensation ara whose duty it shal
he to make such investigation as shal
be required by court, to he present il
order 10 represent the interests of tn,
child when the case is heard, to fur
nsh to the court such information anC
assistance as the judge may require
and to take such charge of any chile
before and after trial as may be di
rected by the court
Where q child tndor l6 years old /.
adiudged to be a neglected" child
within the meaning of the act. th'
court may commit it to the care o
some reputable citizen or to the car,
of some industrial or training school
or association embracing in its objec
the care of such children.
In the case of "A delinquent" chilC
or one who has committd some crime
court may continue the hearing an,
commit it to the care and guardian
ship of probation officer" appoint
ed by court. who may allow it to re
main at home subject to his visitation
and inspection, or who may place it il
suitable family home, subject "t
the friendly supervision of such pro
tatiOn officer"
The court may also, in its discretion
commit the child to a suitable institu
tion for the care of delinquent children
provided that no child under the ag
of IL years shall be committed to tn
state reformatOry or to the house q
refuge. No child shall be committe
, to either of these institutions beyon
his or her majority, The authorize
of such institutions shall have the rish
, to parole the child on any condition
they may prescribe
The court may also, If deemed de
sIrable, commit a delinquent child t
the care and custody of some associa
tion that will receive it, embracing 1
its objects the care of negligent an
dependent children.
! TAKEN BEFORE A JUDGE,
: When a child under 16 years of ac
shall he arrested, instead Of bein
taken before "A police magistrate or a
: derman il shall be taken before III
judge of the juvenile court or if take
? before a police magistrate or alderman
: it shall be the duty of that official
4 transfer the case TO such, court
$ The act provides that no court ,
5 magistrate shall commit child unde
D 10 years of age TO a police station {
\ Jail, but shall commit il to the care ,
the sheriff or probation officer, b
whom it shall be kept in a place pr,
I vided by the city or county outside ,
l. the regular Jail or police station.
The trainers of this act undoubtedl
n had in mind the idea that in eve,
r county there was some associate
having for one of it's objects the caI
OF neglected or delinquent childre
nd that such associations would pa