Section 14 Independence FromJuvenileCourtJudge

• Library: Juvenile Law 2011

Because the juvenile officer and staff serve under the direction of and at the pleasure of the juvenile court judge, questions may legitimately be raised regarding their ability to render professional judgments independent of the judge’s influence. This danger seems particularly acute at court hearings in which opinions and recommendations are offered by juvenile officers. Objectivity and professional honesty will necessarily suffer if the social worker
or witness tailors testimony to comply with perceived...