Morris tribune. [volume] (Morris, Minn.) 1880-2000, 1909-05-29
JUVENILE COURT.
Probate Court to Have Jurisdic.
ton Over Juvenile Offenders.

One of the most important laws
passed at the recent session of the
legislature was that extending the
operation of the Juvenile Court to
all the counties of the state.
The matter was urged upon the
notice of the legislature by a joint
committee of the State Conference of
Charities and Correction and the
States Educational Association. This
committee in presenting the need
showed that boy in say, Austin, who
does the same wrongful act as boy
in one of the three cities, is branded
as criminal and tried with other
criminals, while the boy in the large
city is brought to the Juvenile Court
by the parents and the matter is ad-
iusted in a manner to safeguard and
save the boy.
Under the new law the Probate
Court is to have jurisdiction in all
cases in which the welfare of children
is involved. AS is generally known,
where the question relates to depend
ent Or neglected children, the matter
is disposed of in the Probate Court at
present. The practice will continue
under the new law, but the proceed
ings will be simplifed and strengthen
ed. 1t will not be necessary for Coun-
ty Commissioners officially to certify
cases of this kind to the Probate
Judge. Any reputable citizen may
file the petition. In most things the
practice will be similar to that now
followed by the Juvenile Courts in the
three large counties.
The chief change will have refer
ence to children who are charged
with violation of some law. Under
the new statute these cases will come
before the Probate Court also. If a
boy is believed to have committed,
say larceny, the procedure will be to
file a petition in the Probate Court
alleging that he is in need of proper
guardianship. The boy and his par
ents will be summoned into court. No
warrant, no arrest, if it is possible to
avoid such. Some kind, firm friend
who will undertake to help this boy,
to be called a probation officer, is cal
led into the case. The difficulty is
canvassed thoroughly and with the
utmost informality by the court, the
probation officer, the parents and the
boy. The court will lay such emphasis
upon the mistakes of both the parents
and the boy as may seem fitting, and
will probably continue the case, plac-
ing both parents and boy in charge of
the probation officer, and allowing
them to return home. The probation
officer, by association and suggestion,
will endeavor to improve the home
life of the family and will consult with
the court from time to time as to pro-
gress. If when the case comes on for
hearing again satisfactory improve
ment has been made discharge may
be ordered. If no Improvement can
be reported, the court may, after pro-
badly two or three trials, remove
the boy from the home and place him
in some other family home, place him
in some institution certified to the
Board of Control to be qualified to give
the boy the attention he needs, Or
perhaps commit him to the State
Training School. In any event there
is nothing savoring of criminal trail.
The vengeance idea is eliminated. By
these means in places having the Juv-
emile Court, many bad boys had been
reformed and their parents have ac-
quired the capacity much better to
bring up the other children. The law
contains provisions to meet various
difficulties that may arise in its en-
forcement. 1t repeals no law now in
force. 1t only opens up better way.
The act goes into effect June 1.