10: Juvenile Justice
- Page ID
- 44970
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After reading this section, students will be able to:
- Summarize the history and purpose of the juvenile court
- Explain the pros and cons of the juvenile justice system.
- Briefly examine the stages of the juvenile justice system
- Examine the reasons supporting and criticizing the process of waiver to adult court
- Explain how due process has evolved through the juvenile court.
In this section, you will be introduced to juvenile justice. This section is designed to be a broad overview of the juvenile court system, to examine the pros and cons of the juvenile justice system, examine the various stages in the juvenile justice system, and discuss contemporary issues facing juvenile justice.
Critical Thinking Questions
- What impact did the child savers have on juvenile justice reform?
- Explain how due process has been used throughout the history of the juvenile justice system.
- How has the juvenile justice system evolved since it was created?
- What are the different types of waiver?
- What four areas changed the juvenile court?
- 10.1: Youth Crime
- This page discusses the increased fear of youth crime in America since the 1990s, driven by media sensationalism, leading to punitive changes in juvenile justice policies. More states began transferring young offenders to adult courts. It also highlights Rev. Jeffrey Brown's TED Talk, which advocates for community-based strategies in Boston that prioritize listening to youth over imposing top-down solutions to effectively reduce youth violence.
- 10.2: Juvenile Justice
- This page explores the juvenile justice system’s focus on rehabilitation for younger offenders, backed by neuroscience showing under-20s have developing moral decision-making. It highlights the fluctuating public perceptions between punitive and rehabilitative approaches to juvenile delinquency, shaped by sensational media.
- 10.3: History of the Juvenile Justice System
- This page covers the origins of the juvenile court system, established in 1899 in Cook County, Illinois, based on the idea of parens patriae, which views the state as a caretaker. Initially, children had no legal rights and were seen as property. Reforms in the late 19th century, driven by the child-saving movement, shifted perspectives to recognize children's vulnerabilities, leading to the creation of a formal juvenile court system aimed at better supporting neglected and at-risk youth.
- 10.4: Delinquency
- This page outlines the juvenile court system's evolution, emphasizing its difference from adult courts and the concept of "juvenile delinquency" as socially constructed. Originally, youths were treated as adults in legal matters; however, the juvenile court prioritizes rehabilitation over punishment. It serves youth aged 7 to 17, dealing with criminal activities, status offenses, and behavioral issues, using terminology that reflects a focus on the child's welfare rather than punitive actions.
- 10.5: Juvenile Justice Process
- This page discusses the inconsistencies in the U.S. juvenile justice system, where states establish their own laws on juvenile delinquency and child welfare. It highlights a trend towards harsher legislation in the 1990s in response to youth crime, as well as shifts since WWII.
- 10.6: Due Process in the Juvenile Court
- This page outlines the development of the juvenile justice system, highlighting significant Supreme Court cases that established due process rights for juveniles. Key rulings such as *Kent v. United States*, *In re Gault*, *In re Winship*, and *Breed v. Jones* collectively reinforced legal protections for minors, ensuring formal hearings, due process, proof standards, and safeguards against double jeopardy in juvenile proceedings.
- 10.7: The Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act of 1974
- This page discusses the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (JJDP) Act of 1974, highlighting its role in reducing juvenile delinquency in the U.S. by shifting federal oversight to state reforms. It emphasizes separating juvenile from adult offenders and deinstitutionalizing status offenders. The 1992 amendment further focused on supporting services for female delinquents and addressing gender bias in their treatment.
- 10.8: Getting Tough - Initiatives for Punishment and Accountability
- This page discusses the evolution of juvenile law in the 1980s due to rising youth crime concerns, leading to punitive reforms such as treating juveniles as adults in certain cases. The notion of "superpredators" influenced the creation of waiver laws for transferring juvenile cases. Recent changes, exemplified by New York's "Raise the Age" law, seek to limit these transfers, emphasizing the detrimental effects of solitary confinement on young people's mental health.
- 10.9: Returning to Rehabilitation in the Contemporary Juvenile Justice System
- This page discusses recent juvenile justice reforms focusing on evidence-based practices and their alignment with research on brain development and delinquency. Key Supreme Court cases highlight a shift towards rehabilitative approaches for youth, distinguishing between juvenile and adult culpability. These rulings have banned the death penalty for minors and life without parole for non-homicides, emphasizing the importance of age and developmental factors in sentencing decisions.
- 10.10: The Structure of the Juvenile Justice System
- This page outlines the juvenile justice process which includes nine decision points from arrest to detention or diversion. Cases typically originate from police, often involving property offenses. The intake stage determines the necessity for formal court proceedings. Outcomes may favor probation and community treatment.
- 10.11: Juvenile Institutions
- This page discusses the juvenile justice system's emphasis on rehabilitation through various options like detention centers and group homes, contrasting short-term detainment with community-focused living. It addresses differing disciplinary approaches, such as boot camps and wilderness camps, and notes the issue of disproportionate minority contact in the system.