Australia's Children's Courts Today and Tomorrow [Paperback]

The Childrens Court is one of societys most important social institutions. At the same time, it is steeped in controversy. This is in large measure due to the persistence and complexity of the problems with which it deals, namely, juvenile crime and child abuse and neglect. Despite the importance of the Childrens Court as a means of holding young people accountable for their anti-social behaviour and parents for the care of their children, it has not been the subject of close study. Certainly it has not been previously studied nationally. This book, an edited collection, is based on the findings of study that spanned the six States and two Territories of Australia. The study sought to examine the current challenges faced by the Childrens Court and to identify desirable and feasible directions for reform in each State and Territory. A further unique feature of this study is that it canvassed the views of judges and magistrates who preside over this court.This edited collection examines the current challenges faced by the Childrens Court and identifies area for reform. It explores the welfare and justice approaches to resolving care and protection and youth offending cases.

Introduction - Allan Borowski and Rosemary Sheehan.- Part One: the mandate of the Childrens Court.- 2 The Childrens Court in the Australian Capital Territory - Peter Camilleri and Morag McArthur,- 3 The Childrens Court in New South Wales - Elizabeth Fernandez, Jane Bolitho and Dr Patricia Hansen.- 4?Youth Justice, Child Protection and the Role of the Youth Courts in the Northern Territory?- Debora West and David Heath.- 5 The Childrens Court in Queensland - Claire Tilbury and Paul Mazerolle.- 6 The Childrens Court in South Australia - Paul Delfabbro and Andrew Day.- 7 The Childrens Court in Tasmania - Rob White and Max Travers and Michael McKinnon.- 8 The Childrens Court in Victoria - Allan Borowski and Rosemary Sheehan.- 9?Cultural Slippage, Resource Divide, Aboriginal ChildrenlĂ$