Assessments and Intake Processes in Juvenile Justice Processing: Emerging Policy Considerations

Recent reforms have expanded the possibilities for gathering and sharing information during juvenile justice processing and have included calls for comprehensive assessments of all juvenile referrals. However, scant attention has been given to questions concerning the timing, goals, or uses of assessments; the structure and goals of intake; or the role of assessments at intake. These questions merit closer investigation because variation in assessment or intake goals and practices will likely constrain the efficiency or efficacy of juvenile processing. Using interview and survey data from a study of county-level intake processes in Texas, this study identifies and discusses their policy implications.