CHILDREN’S COURTS.

Otago Witness, Issue 3713, 12 May 1925, Page 72

CHILDREN’S COURTS.

NEW DEPARTURE PROPOSED. REPORT OF EXPERT COMMITTEE. The report of the committee of inquiry into the question of mental defectives gives a special section on the subject of children's courts. It states that several witnesses pointed -out the need for the establishment of special courts for children and juveniles. The committee recommends that such provision be made, and ..also that clinics be established providing for the physical and physiological examination of all chil dren coming under the jurisdiction of these courts. The fuller knowledge thus acquired would be extremely valuable to the authorities dealing with children. Many countries have recognised this need, and have established properly constituted courts for dealing with children and juveniles as apart and distinct from police courts. In this connection it i% surprising to find that New Zealand is lagging behind in that in the laws relating to the punishment of crime hardly any distinction in procedure is made between child and adult. A practice has grown up whereby children are dealt with in the police courts at a time apart from the hearing of adult cases, but the procedure of the Criminal Court has been retained—i.e., the young delinquent is charged with an offence, is reauirecl to plead, and if found guilty is liable to conviction. Most cases are investigated by the juvenile probation officer of the Education Department prior to hearing, but these officers have no legal standing in any court, and are not even empowered to bring a destitute child before a magistrate for committal to the care of the State. This function must be carried out of a police officer. The Children’s Court, as it is constituted in other countries, is a court of equity, and its principal function is to consider all children brought before it as cases requiring protection and care. It is the business of the court by investigation of conduct, school and family history, and mental condition, to ascertain the reason if possible for misconduct, eliminate or modify the causes, or remove the child from environments contributory to its condition. • The presiding magistrates are usually selected on account of their experience witn children and knowledge of child psychology. In some of the courts in America women are selected for these positions. It is essential that if children appearing before the courts are to be dealt with in a scientific manner there should he provision on the lines recommended above.