Juvenile Delinquency

Paper Summary:

The writer explains that violent crimes committed by juveniles are not diminishing, whereas other crimes are reported to be diminishing. The paper shows that juveniles have more access, and more use of weapons of violence, including gang affiliation. The paper demonstrates that there is a dichotomy of who is in charge with a see-saw effect between the government, or various governmental agencies, and the parents. The paper discusses that questions about the proper spending of tax dollars to prosecute and house juvenile defenders also need to be faced. The writer shows that there is a difference between the representation and sentencing of minorities versus whites. The paper discusses the difficult job parole officers and officers of the juvenile courts have in attempting to preserve some sort of fair order. In conclusion, the writer posits that are two choices for society: to ignore the situation, or to do something to provide opportunities and look toward a better future for disillusioned, frustrated, angry juvenile offenders.

From the Paper:

"Sitting as one case after another proceeds, either for remanding to a juvenile detention center, occasionally in the custody of his family or guardian, it becomes obvious that- the empty eyes of most of these juveniles proves that they are ignorant of most everything except the urge to survive somehow. For the most part, the juvenile offenders are not terribly well educated. Most, of course, are black or Hispanic. There are very few Asians although there are now Vietnamese, Japanese, and Chinese gangs forming in West Coast cities. The few white, offenders are the only ones seemingly represented by "real" lawyers. And, just as naturally, they are usually sentenced to probation and community service. The rich, even rich juveniles, get away with things that inner city minority juveniles get sent away for. "If there is one thing obvious in a juvenile court session it is a lack of passion on the part of adult defenders, prosecutors, and judges. One can hear the sobbing of mothers (usually there are no fathers present), who protest about harsh sentences, or proclaim that their children are innocent. It is almost an act. The mothers know. They know they cannot stop crime in their neighborhoods any more than they can stop their bored children from associating with truly dangerous young people, their own age. When twelve or thirteen-year olds see kids barely a few years older than they, driving fancy cars, wearing expensive jewelry, dating "hot chicks"- and doing it with ill-gotten gains from muggings, or selling drugs, or break-ins, they want to be part of the Have's, too."

More papers on Juvenile Delinquency:

• Essay # 83957 : "Juvenile Delinquency"
• Essay # 90935 : "Juvenile Delinquency"
• Research Proposal # 106120 : "Lack of Social Bonding as Related to Juvenile Delinquency"
• Essay # 83888 : "Juvenile Delinquency: Website Review"

APA Citation:

MLA Citation: