Juvenile Justice

Paper Summary:

The paper defends the treatment of juvenile offenders as adults by presenting a historical overview of juvenile crime in the US and presenting both sides of the argument. The paper discusses how some suggest that adolescents are immature with insufficiently developed brain structures. They emphasize rehabilitation and treatment for them rather than punishment and retribution. The paper explains how opponents of leniency, however, underline the importance of "adult punishment for adult crimes" and believe that only the prospect of punishment would deter juvenile criminals from perpetrating vicious and violent crimes on their victims. The paper maintains that only by treating the juvenile criminal as an adult can we hope to control an escalation of crime among young people.

Outline:
Historical Overview of the Juvenile Crime in the US
Arguments For and Against
Application of Theory to the Topic
Summary and Conclusion

From the Paper:

"The earliest forms of crime control laws in human societies were based on brutal punishments and made little distinction between juvenile and adult offenders. Largely, as a reaction to such inhumane forms of punishment, some European philosophers and social reformers began to introduce the philosophy of 'correction' and rehabilitation of criminals in the 17th century. As the juvenile offenders were considered to more amenable to reform, separate judicial system for younger criminals was introduced."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Fox, S. J. (1996). "The Early History of the Court." The Juvenile Court. 6:3, Winter 1996. Retrieved on February 16, 2006 from http://www.futureofchildren.org/information2826/information_show.htm?doc_id=77771
• Levitt, S.D. (1993). "Juvenile Crime and Punishment." The Journal of Political Economy. December, 1993. Volume 106, Issue 6, 1156-1185. Retrieved on February 16, 2006, 2006 fromhttp://pricetheory.uchicago.edu/levitt/Papers/LevittJuvenileCrimePunishment1998.pdf
• Onwudiwe, I. D. (2004). "Theoretical Perspectives on Juvenile Delinquency: Root Causes and Control." Corrections Today, October, 2004. 66, 153+.
• Richey, W. (2005) "Juvenile death penalty abolished." Christian Science Monitor.
• March 2, 2005. Retrieved on May 14, 2005 from http://www.csmonitor.com/2005/0302/p01s01-usju.html

More papers on Juvenile Justice:

• Analytical Essay # 143365 : "Juvenile Justice System - A Hypothetical Scenario"
• Analytical Essay # 6978 : "Juvenile Justice System"
• Analytical Essay # 121457 : "Constitutional Cases in Juvenile Justice"
• Analytical Essay # 143002 : "Juvenile Justice"

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