Abstract The purpose of this study is to examine whether trying juveniles as adults would be a more effective deterrent to crime. The theories of those who agree with this treatment and those who oppose it are discussed. The paper also looks at the idea of those who have committed violent crimes should be treated as adults. The paper concludes that treatingjuvenileoffenders as adults will not prevent juvenile criminal activity.
From the Paper "With the media picking up on a seeming rash of juvenile violence and crime, calls for increased attention specifically in the form of harsher punishments have been made. Some even suggest that we do away with the juvenile courts system altogether and simply try juveniles as adults at the very least when they commit violent crimes. This has resonating with some people, especially those who feel that the current system is not acting to prevent juvenile criminal activity. Such proponents argue that we should punish those who commit violent crimes equally, regardless of their age (West 2). The purpose of this study is to examine several critical voices on the subject, some who are in favor of trying juveniles as adults and some who are not. This is a complex issue that cuts to the heart of the justice system; however, it will become evident that treating juvenile offenders as adults is neither a good idea nor an effective deterrent to crime."
Abstract This paper notes that juvenileoffenders have long been treated differently by the criminal justice system, but this has been changing as community attitudes have shifted so that more and more juveniles are tried as adults. This trend largely reflects an increasing fear of crime and a belief in the power of punishment over rehabilitation. Trying juveniles as adults is not the best approach to take.
From the Paper "The American juvenile-justice system was designed a century ago to reform children found guilty of minor crimes, but more and more, the system has to cope with more violent crimes committed by younger people. As Gil Garcetti, then District Attorney of Los Angeles, noted..."
Abstract This paper examines, through a literature review, the issue of whether juvenileoffenders should be punished in the same way as adults in light of the increase of crimes involving juvenileoffenders and also the level of violence associated with such crimes. In response to the perceived skyrocketing in juvenile crime, states throughout the country have passed a variety of measures to send more juvenileoffenders to criminal court. Historically our criminal justice system has encouraged law enforcement officials and prosecutors to focus on rehabilitation when it comes to juvenileoffenders since law enforcement officials, prosecutors, and researchers believed that youths often make mistakes and are more able to learn and re-train their behavior than adult offenders who are often more jaded and violent. It evaluates how the decision to prosecute a juvenileoffender as an adult has momentous consequences for the individual involved, with the juvenileoffender frequently being confined with the general adult inmate population, arguably increasing the likelihood of recidivism since the juvenileoffender will be exposed to "new" crimes as well as techniques for avoiding punishment.
From the Paper "There is a large array of literature concerning juvenile offenders and the issue of whether juveniles should be tried as adults. Presently there are three possible mechanisms used to allow juvenile offenders to be tried as adults. Judicial waiver involves a juvenile court judge transferring an adolescent to criminal court based on, among other things, the seriousness of the crime, the offender's history, and the chances of the offender repeating his or her act. (Steinberg). Direct file policies allow the prosecutor to decide whether to file charges against a juvenile offender in criminal or juvenile court. (Steinberg). Finally, under statutory exclusion, certain categories of juveniles are automatically tried in adult criminal court. (Steinberg). Statutory exclusion is generally determined by a combination of age and the seriousness of the offense. (Steinberg)."
Abstract This paper examines the problem of juvenileoffenders in the US. The paper first suggests that, although the United States continues to hold more juveniles in prison under the sentence of life without the possibility of parole than all other countries, this monumental problem of juvenile violent offenders can be stopped. The paper then reviews the rational choice model and the social disorganization theory, which present different views about the causes of juvenile delinquency, but agree on the importance of social factors in the problem of juvenile delinquency. The paper thus recommends developing a social plan to eradicate poverty, improve parenting, and encourage teens to stay away from nonviolent crimes as well as a program within community organizations such as the public school system to address juvenile delinquency.
Table of Contents:
Introduction
The Scope of the Issue
Makeup of the Juvenile Population
JuvenileOffenders and Offenses
Theories Regarding JuvenileOffenders Rational Choice Theory
Social Disorganization Theory
Recommendations
Conclusion
From the Paper "One of those conditions of social change that has been proven to influence the juvenile delinquent possibilities of juveniles is socioeconomic change. According to the U.S. Department of Justice, juveniles living under the poverty line have proved to be more involved in delinquency than juveniles who are not impoverished. Although the study contended that poverty does not necessarily have a direct link to juvenile violent offenses, it does tend to produce juveniles who are in single parent homes or who become parents during their adolescent years, both of which are indicators of delinquency."
Tags: homicide, life imprisonment, human rights, cost-benefit, attitudes
Abstract This paper provides an in-depth analysis of the recidivism rates of African American juvenileoffenders, including a theoretical background and an outline of the contributions to the field of juvenile justice. It includes critiques and suggestions for future research and concludes with policy implications regarding recidivism rates of African-American juvenile drug offenders.
Table of Contents:
Introduction
Theoretical Background
Literature Review
Contributions to the Field of Juvenile Justice
Policy Implications
Critiques of the Juvenile Justice System
Suggestions for Future Research
Conclusion
From the Paper "A review of the literature indicates that although recidivism rates among African American juvenile drug offenders remain very high, there are other methods of addressing the problem. The available research indicates that juvenile diversion programs reduce criminal justice system costs and are more cost-effective than traditional processing. One of the difficulties faced by diversion programs is that most programs are able to deal with only two or three percent of cases charged and may have difficulty demonstrating a downstream impact on recidivism. Finally, juvenile justice and recidivism necessitates more research studies, as there still remain many questions on how to prevent recidivism from occurring."
Abstract This paper presents a study examining the possibility of intervention for juvenileoffenders. The variables that are used as a focus in this study are age and violence and the serious as opposed to the less serious offender. The purpose of the study is to ascertain to what extent the available literature can be utilized to work effectively with juvenileoffenders.
It should be noted that correlating factors cannot be excluded in a study of this nature. For example, the correlation between age and gender should be considered in ascertaining the efficacy of intervention strategies.
From the Paper "In a study of psychosocial variables in juvenile crime, the authors state that "in 1997, juveniles accounted for 37% of all burglary arrests; 30% of robbery arrests; 24% of weapon arrests; 14% of murder attempts and drug arrests respectively." (Katsiyannis et al, 2004) There are also numerous studies that establish that the number of juvenile offenders are increasing and in dire need of intervention policies. "The increased volume and changing composition of juvenile delinquency caseloads have overloaded the juvenile justice system ... the juvenile justice system must be equipped to address the full range of juvenile problem behaviors. Often the presenting offense is merely the 'tip of the iceberg' ". (Provide Immediate Intervention) "
Abstract This paper takes a look at the American perspective on juvenileoffenders. According to the paper, the USA is one of a very few countries that will sentence a juvenileoffender tp the death penalty.
The paper further discusses how this is not true for all US states. The nature of the American justice system, is that each state establishes its own policy regarding the punishment of criminals.
Outline:
Introduction
Juvenile Law
Supreme Court Ruling
Public Sentiment
Missouri
The Psychology of Adolescence
From the Paper "Recent research into the structure and function of the brain suggests that it may be more appropriate to treat even older teens as juveniles rather than adults. Brain imaging has confirmed that the human brain is still undergoing significant development and structural changes at the ages of 16 and 17 and that this affects the ability to make sound decisions and to resist impulsive actions (Beckman, 2004).
Much of this newer information is available because of advances in brain imaging techniques. Researchers are still exploring whether brain development finalizes around the age of 20 or at 25, but the changes that take place before that point are viewed as crucial to the ability to make good choices (Beckman, 2004). However, brain scans of teenagers show gray matter still being covered in a fatty protective coating called "white matter). Researchers found that just before puberty the amount of gray matter increases substantially, followed by a period called "pruning, where gray matter cells are pared away, while the amount of white matter increases. "
Tags: punishment, execution, criminals, brain, development
Abstract This paper focuses on the recidivism rate of youthful offenders and their attaining their high school diploma. The author uses journal articles and other sources to discuss whether juvenileoffenders obtaining a GED have any impact on the recidivism rate that they hold. The author also explores the importance of encouraging at-risk juveniles to get their GED so they have opportunities to stay out of problem lifestyles.
From the Paper "Recently the focus on juvenile offenders has intensified. Media coverage, combined with seemingly more violent offenses have placed juvenile offender issues in the spotlight nationwide. Legislators have been faced with how harshly to punish such offenders, school systems have had to deal with their attendance and parents have to spend countless dollars and hours working to try and get their teen turned around before he or she reaches adulthood. Many experts feel if youthful offenders could be rehabilitated before the age of majority they have a good chance of leading productive non-criminal lives. Juvenile offenders often turn to crime because they do not feel there are other options. Violence, drug deals and other acts of crime find themselves in juvenile circles nationwide. "
This paper examines the issue of incarceration of juvenileoffenders, looking specifically at articles by Ardovini-Brooker and Walker and Loughran and Godfrey.
Abstract The paper studies juvenile incarceration, reporting on an innovative feature of applied practice that may have universal implication for the project of juvenile incarceration. The writer compares and contrasts two articles, one of which is a strong argument for performance-based standards, a system for the collection of data that records the progress of juvenileoffenders, to come to a conclusion as to the effectiveness of (PbS).
From the Paper "The main thesis of Ardovini-Brooker and Walker's article is that the proliferation of juvenile boot camps since the inception of the first such program in Georgia in 1983 has been driven by objectives that have been far from uniform because of a lack of theoretical and conceptual consensus about them. They suggest that such a consensus is desirable, not only because the number of so-called shock-incarceration facilities is expected to continue to grow in the coming years but also because the multiplicity of motives in the background of their implementation has made definitive evaluation of their effectiveness difficult to accomplish. Citing dramatic differences of opinion regarding the efficacy of shock incarceration in fostering rehabilitation and discouraging recidivism, as well as the debate over what should be the effect of such incarceration, they describe various perspectives from which boot camps have been endorsed and established and point out difficulties of reconciling goals, priorities, and the means of their measurement."
Abstract This paper discusses the problems and issues related to supervising juvenileoffenders under the supervision of the Los Angeles County Probation Department. It identifies the significance of the problem and recommends alternatives to the incarceration of juvenileoffenders.
From the Paper "n many instances the juvenile justice system chooses to refer youth adjudicated in the courts or processed through station house hearings to community-based supervision rather than to a secure facility ..."
Tags:juvenile crime, probation, supervision, Los Angeles
Abstract This paper presents a literature review regarding juvenileoffenders and what treatment options exist for them. The writer also analyzes how effective the treatments are for those offenders.
From the Paper "Early studies have already established the fact that a precursor to juvenile offenders is the lack of life skills that they possess. Juveniles who do not have basic life skill maturation are twice as likely to become juvenile offenders than those who do have life skills maturation. "
This well-researched paper examines the juvenile justice system and its method of dealing with juvenileoffenders which has cyclically gone from a rehabilitative approach to a punitive approach a number of times since its inception.
Abstract This paper explores the history of the juvenile justice system, dating back to the 1820s and until the present. The juvenile justice system in dealing with juvenileoffenders has cyclically gone from a rehabilitative approach to a punitive approach a number of times since its inception. The writer of this paper contends that in certain cases juvenile criminals should be treated differently than adults who commit the same crimes and supports this claim by detailing eight possible justifications. One justification is that adults are responsible for their acts, whereas juveniles are not. Another justification is that juveniles are more pliable than adults and respond better to treatment and rehabilitation.
This paper also details various research which examines the history of the juvenile justice system from 1820 which found that when juvenile crime is determined to be high, the justice system responds with severe punishments and few rehabilitative approaches. This paper also discusses the current approach to the juvenile justice system and questions its effectiveness in dealing with juvenileoffenders.
From the Paper "What the models or approaches have neglected up to this point is the importance of the victim and the community, accountability of the offender, and competency development. So far there has been the debate between punishment versus treatment as options, but both have negative side effects and essentially ignore everything else. The need for retribution may be satisfied by punishment, but the offender can be negatively affected. Punishment can undermine self-restraint, stigmatizes the offender and creates problems of adjustment, which encourages delinquency, to name a couple, but it also encourages offenders to focus on themselves, not the victim and their responsibility."
Tags: youth, crime, law, legal, justice, system, court, rights
Abstract The paper defends the treatment of juvenileoffenders 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."
Abstract This paper discusses how juvenile crime, because of the number of crimes and the nature of the crimes committed by young people, is a critical problem that must be resolved. It looks at how, in analyzing the ways to approach this problem, two crucial approaches have been argued. It examines how the first, as argued by Fuentes, is to treat children as children, even if they are juvenileoffenders and to focus on rehabilitating them, and how the second approach, argued by Judge Linda Collier, is that the juvenile justice system has to be revised, and juvenileoffenders have to be given the same penalties as adults.
From the Paper "Collier adopts a tough position against juvenile crime, while studies demonstrate that tough adult penalties for juvenile criminals will not resolve the problem of juvenile crime. Collier insists that juvenile offenders should not be treated as children but should fully pay for their crime as would any adult. This could mean sentencing eight year olds to the same prison time that a court of law would sentence an adult to. The justice system is supposed to rehabilitate and train people to become decent members of society, but Collier's solution is no guarantee that the juvenile offender will rehabilitate. In fact, she does not provide any evidence to illustrate that the states which adopted tough laws for juvenile offenders have a lower juvenile violent crime rate."
Abstract The paper contends that, despite some evidence pointing towards a greater need to "lock down" juveniles, the rehabilitation strategy is much more effective and is morally correct. The paper explains the rehabilitation model as based upon the concept of "curing" an offender of his or her criminal mindset and behavior. The paper maintains that retributive justice will ultimately result in more crime because it makes juveniles harbor a lifetime of hate towards society whilst a rehabilitative system creates a greater ability to change juvenileoffenders into valuable members of society.
From the Paper "Historically the juvenile court system was created as an alternative to the current adult system for processing delinquents. It was built upon the premise that rehabilitation was a much better fundamental strategy for dealing with juvenile delinquents than the retribution model. However, recent statistics have shown an increase in juvenile violence as well as other forms of crime. In addition, there have been overwhelming statistics which point to the fact that juvenile delinquents are more than likely to commit crimes upon their release from prison. These crime waves have brought more and more juvenile offenders back to adult courts, and a greater public debate has been ongoing about the success of the rehabilitation model."
