Proposition 21

Paper Summary:

Juvenile crime has become one of America?s most prominent issues, even as the overall crime rate has declined to the lowest point in decades. Several celebrated cases have helped create an image of teenagers run amok and younger and younger kids committing major felonies. Once apprehended, these children enter a juvenile justice system that many claim utilizes an outdated approach. In some cases, murderers have gone free at age 25 simply because that is the incarceration limit for the juvenile justice system. The paper shows that, in response, an advocacy group placed a get-tough measure (called Proposition 21) on the California ballot. This initiative, which passed overwhelmingly (62 percent to 38 percent), calls for dramatic changes in the juvenile justice system. This paper examines Proposition 21, highlighting the arguments for and against the initiative and submits that the initiative ultimately is a fatally flawed attempt to correct a problem that has been greatly overstated.

From the Paper:

"The solution to these problems, according to the authors, lies in junking the current juvenile justice system and making it more like the adult courts. The juvenile court philosophy of rehabilitation and treatment of juvenile offenders was adopted at a time when most juvenile crime consisted of petty offenses. That philosophy is woefully out of date at a time when juveniles are increasingly committing violent crimes, and it leaves the public at risk (California Secretary of State)."

More papers on Proposition 21:

• Essay # 24303 : "Proposition 21"
• Analytical Essay # 138956 : "Proposition 13 and Property Taxes"
• Research Paper # 96358 : "Proposition 207 Arizona"

APA Citation:

MLA Citation: