§ 5-201 — Legislative declaration

The General Assembly recognizes that, despite the large investment of resources committed to address the needs of the juvenile justice system of this State, cost of juvenile crime continues to drain the State's existing financial capacity, and exacts traumatic and tragic physical, psychological and economic damage to victims. The General Assembly further recognizes that many adults in the criminal justice system were once delinquents in the juvenile justice system. The General Assembly also recognizes that the most effective juvenile delinquency programs are programs that not only prevent children from entering the juvenile justice system, but also meet local community needs and have substantial community involvement and support. Therefore, it is the belief of the General Assembly that one of the best investments of the scarce resources available to combat crime is in the prevention of delinquency, including prevention of criminal activity by youth gangs. It is the intent of the General Assembly to authorize and encourage each of the counties of the State to establish a comprehensive juvenile justice plan based upon the input of representatives of every affected public or private entity, organization, or group. It is the further intent of the General Assembly that representatives of school systems, the judiciary, law enforcement, and the community acquire a thorough understanding of the role and responsibility that each has in addressing juvenile crime in the community, that the county juvenile justice plan reflect an understanding of the legal and fiscal limits within which the plan must be implemented, and that willingness of the parties to cooperate and collaborate in implementing the plan be explicitly stated. It is the further intent of the General Assembly that county juvenile justice plans form the basis of regional and State juvenile justice plans and that the prevention and treatment resources at the county, regional, and State levels be utilized to the maximum extent possible to implement and further the goals of their respective plans.

Legislative History

(Source: P.A. 90-590, eff. 1-1-99.)