Premium Essay

The Role Of Childhood In The Juvenile Justice System

Submitted By
Words 315
Pages 2
The courts laid out a numerous amounts of factors that the juvenile court judges must take into consideration when making a waiver decision. One, the seriousness, type of offense, and how the offense was committed. Two, the maturity level which is determined by consideration of his/her home life, environmental situation, emotional attitude, and pattern of living. Three, the juvenile’s criminal record and history of crimes. Last but not least, the prospects of protecting the public and rehabilitating the juvenile. Although juveniles are offered certain rights, they are still able to face the same punishments, including capital, as adults in the criminal justice system. Childhood is more than a chronological fact. It is a time of life when a

Similar Documents

Premium Essay

Business Law

...the contributing factors to delinquency in adolescent .It’s intentions is for the criminal justice system to help with possible intervention of young juveniles before they proceed or graduate into the criminal justice system. The research proposal narrows its focus on the three major specific issues, which are neighbourhood disadvantage, lack of monitoring in adolescents and childhood maltreatment. In order to prevent the start of delinquency, one has to understand the causes of delinquency. Therefore, this research will seek to explain the causes of delinquency and methods used to eliminate such causes that would result into better community services and awareness. Introduction Juvenile delinquency is a tenacious and prevalent social problem in American communities (Thompson, 2005). Therefore as part of the society, we should seek ways and methods that can assist in intervention of prevention of juvenile delinquency. The community must identify what and at which stage of juvenile life causes the beginning of the criminal lifestyle that would result in young offenders advancing into the justice system, which will be forever labelled in their lives. The significance of this study is to develop understanding to the prevention in accordance with the factors that cause the onset of juvenile delinquency. This is important in our youth mentoring programs, public agencies and criminal justice research in improvement of general policies for the provision of community services for independent...

Words: 850 - Pages: 4

Premium Essay

The Social Construction of Juvenile Delinquency

...Critically assess the claim that juvenile delinquency was legislated into existence in the nineteenth century. After a few preliminary comments contextualising the claim, I will; 1. Explore the changes in Legislation and Law enforcement agencies in the early to mid-nineteenth century focusing on the ways in which they contributed to the development of the concept of ‘juvenile delinquency’. 2. Consider the arguments of nineteenth century social investigators and reformers and their influence both on the legislative process and on the construction of the concept of juvenile delinquency. 3. Finally and by way of a conclusion, briefly discuss the broader social economic and political context of nineteenth century reforms in order to suggest that whilst legislation is important, the claim in the question overstates its significance. The idea that there can be a juvenile delinquent is impossible without the concept of childhood as a distinct phase of individual growth and development. ‘Childhood’ has become a universal category; a status which affords particular rights, for example those outlined in agreements between states such as the universal declaration of the rights of the child. This recognition of the special status of ‘childhood’ is a social construct (Hendrick, 2002). We may take our understanding of what it is to be a child for granted as ‘natural’ but it is not until the late middle ages that a period and morality of childhood began to be distinguished from...

Words: 2794 - Pages: 12

Premium Essay

Jj Act

...“Also there is an acute delay in various processes under the Act including decision by Child Welfare Committees and Juvenile Justice Boards leading to high pendency of cases and delayed adoption, etc. We have observed that there is an inadequacy in provisions to deal with offences against children and provisions related to juveniles in conflict with law, in the age group of 16-18 years.’’ Key areas Explaining that the key areas of concern include streamlining the Central Adoption Resource Authority and ensuring shorter institutional stay for children awaiting adoption besides bringing in heavy penalty for children homes operating without registration and reporting abuse, Ms. Gandhi said: “We are re-looking at heinous crimes being committed by children wherein the case will be directed to the JJ Board which will decide if the child has to be tried by the Board or regular court.” The wider question the current debate on the JJA poses is: ‘When does their childhood end and adulthood begins?’ The courts have rightly said that the end of childhood can hardly be treated like the deadline for a government job. Unfortunately, that is how the present law treats the border of childhood. It regards the 18th birthday as a truth cast in stone. Even if a male has committed the most horrible act recorded in the recent history of sexual crimes, he must be treated as a juvenile, insists the JJA and its activist supporters. Such insistence leaves the judiciary helpless and understandably irritated...

Words: 1460 - Pages: 6

Premium Essay

Juvenile Delinquency

...ABSTRACT Juveniles are future of our country.They are new entrepreneurs.They are like clay which we have to mould if a potter doesn’t make make pot properly when mud is wet he can’t rectify it later when mud is dry and pot is made.Similarly we can make a juvenile good or bad from his childhood but later when he becomes fully hardened criminal its not easy to reform him.We blame parents for a bad juvenile but they alone are not responsible for a bad juvenile delinquent.A juvenile becomes delinquent due to environment all factors are responsible family,society,peers factors,etc.Juvenile becomes delinquent when he does not get the appropriate love and affection he wishes to have.Slowly the juvenile follows the path of delinquency and then becomes delinquent.We all see the cases of juvenile delinquency but no one cares to look into the factors responsible for juvenile delinquency.It is said that prevention is better than cure.After juvenile becomes delinquent we try to reform him but if we from beginning take steps so that a juvenile doesn’t become delinquent then we won’t have to look into cases of increased crimes by juvenile delinquents.I have tried to throw light on those factors which play an important role in making a child delinquent and what are the methods by which we can stop a child from becoming delinquent and also the laws which have been made for juveniles.It is important to train a child properly to make a juvenile a responsible citizen of our country.I have also thrown...

Words: 13560 - Pages: 55

Premium Essay

Gender and Family

...Gender and Family CJS/240 June 30, 2013 Sandra Dillard Nowadays in today’s civilization there are a lot more youths that are committing delinquent crimes. The juvenile justice system’s officials are continuously trying to find resources as to what causes an youth to turn out to be delinquent and fall down hill into a bad lifestyle. It is very expected that adolescents will become juvenile delinquents if there’s not enough structure given to them from their families or their inner feelings or pride of their specific gender. There are so many different variables that are concentrated on the important of adolescents into delinquency like family function, disorders, two parent households and different genders. Inheritance plays a big role mostly because of all the environmental sources. Family can affect delinquency mainly if the economics influence for low-income housing and where the residences reside in a poorly appealing neighborhood where there is high crime. Family makeup affects delinquency because when there’s a big family it has a larger attraction of the low-income is coming in the household. The families behavior also plays a role because if you decide to sell drugs to make a escape from not having enough to cover bills or from reality or family members trying to find a easy way out from the obligation through the bad activities rather than focusing for the kids receiving the proper education to be able to get...

Words: 733 - Pages: 3

Premium Essay

Juvenile Justice

...The juvenile justice system and parents across America struggle on a day-to-day basis with their children and substance abuse. It is stated that four out of every five children arrested within the system are under the influence of a substance (alcohol or drugs) when committing the crimes that forced them to be detained and arrested (Alcoholism.about.com, 2010). It is reported within the textbook that seventy-three percent of high school seniors had used alcohol within the past year, which makes the possibility of teenagers entering the juvenile justice system even higher (Siegel & Welsh, 2009). It is also believed that we as a society, does not provide the adequate support to those youth that are using controlled substances; which could in turn result in a more positive outcome, versus a decline in their behavior from initial arrest (Alcholism.about.com, 2010). This is a very true statement because in 2009, the SAMSHA reported that 374,000 citizens were treated for substance abuse between the ages of eighteen to twenty-four; that does not include the amount of individuals who did not seek help and those that were even younger. It also does not tell the story about how many of those individuals started using controlled substances at an earlier age as a juvenile (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, n.d.). According to Joseph Califano, Jr., we are writing of the younger Americans by releasing them back into society without attending to their substance...

Words: 797 - Pages: 4

Premium Essay

Child Maltreatment and Juvenile Delinquency

...Running head: CHILD MALTREATMENT & JUVENILE DELINQUENCY 1 The Correlation Between Child Maltreatment & Juvenile Delinquency April 6, 2014 CHILD MALTREATMENT & JUVENILE DELINQUENCY 2 Abstract Research suggests that there is a correlation between child maltreatment and juvenile delinquency. The findings indicate that children, who have experienced abuse or neglect during childhood, are at increased risk of committing crimes in adolescence. A substantial number of children enter the juvenile justice system with a history of abuse, with approximately one third of these adolescence are actively associated with a child welfare agency at the time of their initial arrest. This paper attempts to establish a clear definition of physical, sexual and emotional abuse, as well as, neglect, while also reviewing a pattern of subsequent delinquency. The effects of racial, ethnic and gender differences in criminal behavior will be explored. A collaborated effort among youth serving agencies is discussed as a method of prevention of child maltreatment and future delinquency. CHILD MALTREATMENT & JUVENILE DELINQUENCY 3 Juvenile delinquency is a serious public health concern. Throughout literature, child and adolescent maltreatment are consistently identified as powerful predictors of juvenile and adult crime. In 2009, law enforcement agencies arrested approximately 1.9 million persons under the age of 18 “ (Ryan, Williams, & Courtney, 2013, p.454)...

Words: 3599 - Pages: 15

Premium Essay

Cjus 230 Final Paper

...The Effects of Family Structure and Values on Juvenile Delinquency Christina M. Bracey 201240 Fall 2012 CJUS 230-B02 LUO Professor DeBoer Liberty University Online October 12, 2012 Abstract The changes in family values and structure in the United States has helped contribute to juvenile delinquency today. Society needs to recognize problems within the home before trying to find solutions to problems for todays at risk youth in America. Major structural changes inside of the home could adversely affect the raising of juveniles leading to delinquency. Some of the issues I will discuss in my paper are divorce, child abuse, mothers working outside of the home, and single-parent homes. Ineffectively raising a child can cause low self-control and low self-esteem while increasing the risks of delinquency as well. I will argue that with proper supervision, counseling, and monitoring of the behavior of the juvenile, it is possible that society can help eliminate some of the crimes committed by juvenile delinquents. Thesis The changes in family values and structure in the United States has helped contribute to juvenile delinquency today Introduction Family Structure has changed noticeably in the United States over the past several decades. It refers to various family characteristics that affect relationships and how families function. These characteristics include family size, family disruption, and birth order. High rates of divorce, single-parent housing, the...

Words: 4022 - Pages: 17

Premium Essay

Male Juveniles

... Juvenile Delinquency Casey Cooper During the late 1980's and early 1990's, the nature of offenses committed by juveniles changed. Juvenile crime grew more serious and violent, the rate of offending by females increased disproportionately, youth began entering the juvenile justice system at younger ages, and gang involvement became more prevalent. Recommendations for improving the juvenile justice system must take these changes into account. To establish a context for consideration of the future of the juvenile justice system, the workshop began with a presentation 1 of analyses of trends in juvenile arrests. The increase in juvenile arrests during the past decade driven by arrests for violent crimes -- raises concerns in light of the projected 30-percent increase in the number of 15- to 16-year-olds by 2010. While the juvenile arrest rate for property crimes remained stable during the late 1980's and early 1990's, the number of juvenile arrests for violent crimes was 67 percent greater than in 1986. Nonetheless, a relatively small percentage of juveniles are arrested for violent crimes. In 1995, the rate was 500 per 100,000, or less than one-half of 1 percent of the juvenile population. Moreover, the juvenile arrest rate for murder declined in 1994 and 1995. In 1994, 82 percent of all counties in the United States did not have even one juvenile charged with murder. Increases in juvenile crime since the mid-1980's...

Words: 4117 - Pages: 17

Premium Essay

Juvenile Justice System in the New Era

...JUVENILE JUSTICE SYSTEM IN THE NEW ERA S.No | Description | Page No. | 1. | Introduction | 3 | 2. | Historical background | 4 | 3. | Evolution of juvenile justice system I. Several unique feature characterized in early juvenile court II. English idea of providing separate system for juvenile offender III. The Reformatory schools | 5 | 4. | International concern I. Relevant Article from UN convention II. Movement of Juvenile justice in India | 7 | 5. | Indian legal Provision I. Constitution provision II. Penal provision III. Juvenile justices provision a. Reformatory school Act-1876 b. Children Act-1960 c. Juvenile justice Act-1986 IV. Juvenile justice(Protection and Care) Act-2000 | 10 | 6. | An Analysis I. Who is a juvenile in conflict with law II. Age of criminal responsibility and determination of juvenility III. Present conflict about the age | 14 | 7. | Indian Reformatory approach I. The Child Welfare Committee(CWC) II. The juvenile justices board III. Police IV. Probation Officer V. State government | 16 | 8. | At present- Extent of delinquency in India-NCRB Report | 18 | 9. | Root causation of increasing number of juvenile | 23 | 10. | Role of the society | 26 | 11. | Judicial efforts | 27 | 12. | Recommendation | 28 | 13. | Conclusion | 30 | Introduction 42% of our population is children; the problem of juvenile delinquency is not new but this seek our attention recently very much because...

Words: 10255 - Pages: 42

Premium Essay

History of Juvenile Justice System

...History of Juvenile Justice System Roger King University of Mount Olive Juvenile Justice Systems and Processes CJC 310 Timothy Malfitano February 7, 2015 Abstract This paper will discuss the history of the juvenile justice system. I started this paper by looking at the history of the juvenile justice system, which showed how laws and legal measures involving juvenile offenders have an extensive history. There were no isolated courts or laws, and no services for juveniles, up till the 19th century, children who committed serious offenses were punished and restrained in prison the same way as adults. The changes in legislation rose the age at which individuals officially became adults. This change helped many juveniles escape the cruel treatment in the adult prisons. These changes were based on new understanding of the relationship between physical, mental maturity and acknowledgment. The American juvenile justice system has evolved over the past century with variation that embellished from the adult criminal justice process. The first juvenile's court was acknowledged in 1899, in Chicago, Illinois, and by1945, all states had juvenile courts. The juvenile crime rates particularly homicide rose during the 1980s and 1990s. Therefor the system faces a vast of questions about whether young offenders should be tried and sentenced in a different way than adult offenders (Lawrence & Hemmens, 2008, Chapter 1). The juvenile courts wanted to turn young felons into...

Words: 3409 - Pages: 14

Premium Essay

The National Problem with Juvenile Delinquency and Recidivism

...contribute to juvenile delinquency and research has recognized that there is not one single pathway to delinquency. Studies have shown that the more risk factors the juvenile faces the probability of offending increases. The major factors contributing to juvenile delinquency are individual factors, social factors, and community factors. Many people have tried to figure out and understand the factors that lead our youths to commit crimes and what can we do to prevent and rehabilitate them to keep them from committing these crimes again. Juvenile delinquency is one of the most important issues around the world today. Despite the social awareness surrounding the topic, juvenile delinquency is on the rise and needs to be addressed in order to stop our youth from becoming criminals instead of important members of society. There have been many efforts to understand and analyze the reasons that juveniles commit crimes however there is no set reason, but rather several reasons that can lead a youth to commit crimes. Recent research shows that violence among juveniles is rising rapidly and shows that more than 60% of youths will have either been a victim or will have committed a crime sometime during their youth years (Garza, 2011). Research has also stated that the crime rate among juveniles has increases rapidly since the 1980’s and in 2009 youths were responsible for more than 2 million violent crimes in the United States (Garza, 2011). At the same time however, justice systems are quick...

Words: 1800 - Pages: 8

Premium Essay

Juveniles Don T Deserve Life Sentence

...becomes a taboo subject to accept that there are Juveniles who commit heinous murder as well. It becomes even more challenging when deciding what consequences the Juvenile will face. It is crucial to understand that there can be many factors that play into a role which might influence the murder the Juvenile has committed. In other words, Juveniles should not be treated as adults and thus possibly given a life sentence . Many elements of the juvenile should be taken into context. Not necessarily age, or gender, but deeper aspects that will determine their consequence . Aside from taking those deeper aspects into...

Words: 1809 - Pages: 8

Premium Essay

Week 4 Assignment 1

...fits into our sociology class as well as how this article differs from non-scholarly periodicals The article begins by describing the issue of increasing numbers of adolescent girls being entered into our nation’s juvenile judicial system. The study aims to assess the most common risk factors that are affecting adolescent girls being entered into the juvenile judicial system. It also aims to find the effectiveness of the prevention factors in place to keep adolescents out of the system. For the study a survey was administered over the course of nine months to a hundred and fifty-nine adolescent girls. These adolescent girls were broken into three categories delinquent, diverted and high-risk. Delinquent girls are the girls that have been entered in the juvenile justice system in some form ranging from home care to a penitentiary. The diverted girls group consists of girls that have engaged in behaviors that have brought them to the attention of the juvenile justice system but instead of being entered into the judicial system were referred to some form of community-based services. Lastly is the high-risk group which are girls are receiving services in programs as a result of problems or behaviors that have them at risk of involvement with the juvenile justice system. The risk factors assessed included delinquent behavior, experiences of discrimination, negative life events, child trauma such as abuse or neglect, depression and suicide...

Words: 924 - Pages: 4

Premium Essay

Should Juveniles Be Tried as Adults

...Should juveniles be tried as adults?  Does it depend on the crime committed?  If so, what should be the determining factor(s) in deciding to transfer juveniles to adult courts? Case Assignment 4 September 5, 2011 Violent crimes committed by juveniles have fluctuated over the years. The children of today are subjected to violence in popular songs, television shows, and even computer games. Parents’ having guns accessible to children and the society the child lives in all play a part in the destruction of our youth. Juvenile offenders are now facing tougher punishment for their actions. When a child kills, does he instantly become an adult? Or does he maintain some trappings of childhood, despite the gravity of his or her actions? These are the questions plaguing the American legal system today, as the violent acts of juvenile offenders continue to make headlines. The Juvenile correction system is about one hundred years old. It was created in the 1800s on the philosophy that children are inherently different from adults and it is the state’s responsibility to protect and rehabilitate young offenders. Until the inception of the youth justice system, children were tried in criminal courts along with adults. Movement for juvenile justice reform was informed by the 16th century educational reform movement in England that perceived children to be different than miniature adults, with less than fully developed moral and cognitive capacities. As early as 1825, the Society for...

Words: 1297 - Pages: 6