Juvenile and Adult Courts

Paper Summary:

This paper discusses the differences and similarities between the juvenile court system and the adult court system. It then discusses the benefits and disadvantages between the two systems and the differences in the focus of the two systems, from the arrest, to the trial to the methods of punishment commonly employed. The paper concludes with recommendations for the future.

Table of Contents:
Abstract
Introduction
Section A - Differences and Similarities
Juvenile v. Adult Court: The Differences
Terminology
Rehabilitation v. Punishment
Confidentiality
Different Types of Arrests
Adults Can Be Sentenced to Death
Trial Procedures
Similarities
Miranda Rights
Trial Rights
Punishments
Section B - Benefits and Disadvantages of Juvenile Court
Benefits
Disadvantages of Juvenile Court
Section C - Implications of Abolishing Juvenile Courts
Section D - Recommendations for the Future
Requiring Attorney Representation
Minority Representation Issue
Child Development Professionals
Child Competency Standard
Abolishing Juvenile Courts
Conclusion

From the Paper:

"The juvenile justice system was created separately from adult courts at the end of the 19th century. The purpose of the juvenile court was to help avoid the stigma of having a record, and to lean toward rehabilitative rather than punitive. Even though the process is somewhat similar to the adult court process, the juvenile court certainly has its differences. Those differences being a major difference in terminology, trial procedures, more rehabilitation than punitive, and juveniles under the age of 18 can no longer be put to death. The court certainly has more benefits than disadvantages especially with the confidentiality of records and allowing juveniles a fresh start once they enter adulthood provided they stay out of trouble. There are some who believe that abolishing the system would be better as it is viewed as being too lenient. However, to do so would cause a bigger backlog in the adult system just as an example of a problem that would create. There are definite recommendations for the future to improve the juvenile justice system even though it has made great strides since its inception."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Arroyo, William M.D. & McMiller, William M.D. (unknown). Disproportionate Minority Confinement. Retrieved from: http://www.uiowa.edu/~nrcfcp/dmcrc/pdf/everything6.pdf#search='recommendations%20for%20juvenile%20courts' on September 15, 2006.
• Building Blocks for Youth. (unknown). The Juvenile Court: One Hundred Years in the Making. Retrieved from: http://www.buildingblocksforyouth.org/juvenile_court.htm on September 16, 2006.
• Butts, Jeffery & Harrell, Adell. (1998). Delinquents or Criminals? Policy Options for Young Offenders. Urban Institute. Retrieved from: http://www.urban.org/publications/307452.html on September 15, 2006.
• Dawson, Dawn M.D. (unknown). Competancy to Stand Trial. Retrieved from: http://www.uiowa.edu/~nrcfcp/dmcrc/pdf/everything6.pdf#search='recommendations%20for%20juvenile%20courts' on September 15, 2006.
• Kraus, Louis M.D. (unknown). Females in the Juvenile Justice System. Retrieved from: http://www.uiowa.edu/~nrcfcp/dmcrc/pdf/everything6.pdf#search='recommendations%20for%20juvenile%20courts' on September 15, 2006.

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