...Two of the main factors influencing juvenile delinquency are the family structure that a child is exposed to (Apel & Kaukinen, 2008; Price & Kunz, 2003) and the relationships adolescents have with parents (Leiber, Mack, & Featherstone, 2009; Petts, 2009). As with patterns of juvenile delinquency, family structure in the United States has also changed dramatically over the last century, becoming very diverse in today’s society (Kierkus, Johnson, & Hewitt, 2010). Adolescents of all ages are living in many various types of homes, such as with single, married, and cohabiting parents. The families that children grow up in and the social environment in which they live can have major effects on their well-being (Wallman, 2010). In general, children...
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...In the past decade, there has been an increase in delinquency and violence among adolescents in the United States. This was demonstrated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation when they stated, “In 1996, out of all arrests, 19 percent-2.9 million-were juvenile arrests” (Kumpfer, 1998, 1) and the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP) report which claimed, “[I]n 1995, more than 1.7 million delinquency cases were processed in juvenile courts in the United States, representing a 7-percent increase in cases since 1994” (Sickmund, 1997, 1). This indicates that adolescents make up a noticeable portion of the total number of arrest, and it is only getting worse. To support this theory the Violent Crime Index offenses compared the arrest rates to that of the prior decade and revealed, “[T]he juvenile arrest rate for these offenses was 60 percent higher than the 1987 level” (Snyder, 1997, 1). These facts prove the increasing criminal activity among adolescents, and many of these cases are due to the family structure at home....
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...The Future of Juvenile Justice Clinton Hardy, Dominique Whitlock CJA /374 March 18, 2012 Bruce Clingan The Future of Juvenile Justice The state of juvenile justice system in American is at a crossroad. It is important that the states take more of an imitative at the local level to ensure the important components of the juvenile justice system are being met. This is a proposal for the juvenile justice system to adopt some of the aspects of the adult system by building a state of the art facility that houses probation, home confinement, work release, and community service all in one place. The necessity for these services is crucial to the commitment to rehabilitation of youthful offenders. This project is a joint venture with the Department of Corrections, the city government, and the Department of Juvenile Justice. There are three areas that this proposal will address as far as social need and the explanation for these services. The three areas of deficiency that have to be addressed in relation to delinquency are family life and financial need, diagnosis of mental disabilities, and the likelihood of offending based on ethnic background. The purpose of this new facility is not to punish, but to get to the root of the reason for offending. Mental Health of Juvenile Offenders The most effective way to diagnose the problems associated with juveniles who offend or continue to offend is to make sure that all offenders, at one point or another, have had a mental health...
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...Crime Causation and Diversion Kendra McCauley CJA 374 July 27, 2015 Professor Erica Williams Crime Causation and Diversion The following paper will compare two juvenile diversion programs that are currently offered and operating in the state of Nevada. This paper will address how the programs work to reduce juvenile crime based on an analysis of the relationship between program premise and goals and one or more major causes of juvenile delinquent behavior. This paper will also address the programs’ major goals, objectives, and core beliefs, identify who the key participants are in the programs, what services the programs provide to youths and lastly this paper will identify which program of the two is more effective at reducing juvenile crime and why. The two juvenile diversion programs that will be compared in this paper are, Challenge KADS Sports Diversion in Las Vegas, Nevada and the Truancy Diversion Project which is offered in Clark County, Nevada and other participating schools in various counties. Both of these programs target juveniles in hopes of reducing recidivism in the juvenile justice system while providing support and positivity. Challenge KADS which stands for Kids Art of Defense was established in Southern Nevada by the Police Athletic League in October of 1996. This program brings locals and professional athletes together working with at risk youth ranging in ages from 5-17 to promote sportsmanship, fitness, education and training in the Art of...
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...Juvenile Services Comparison Archie Parks CJA/374 December 14, 2012 Steve Kurrle Juvenile Services Comparison Introduction For this comparison paper I have chosen to study two Juvenile programs that are actively involved in Norfolk Public School and work directly with student’s who have active cases in the Department of Juvenile Justice. This comparison will conduct research on the Youth Challenged Advised and Positively Promoted program (YCAPP) and the Tidewater Youth Services Commission (TYSC). The criteria for comparison is how both programs work to reduce juvenile crime, the major goals, objectives, and core beliefs of each program, who are the key participants are and what services they provide youths. In addition using the information that was researched a determination of which program is more effective in reducing crime and why will be discussed. Who They Are Both the YCAPP program and the Tidewater Youth Services Commission work with at risk youth to positively motivate them into the best person they can be. The direct beliefs responsibilities and goals for each is given below: a. YCAPP: YCAPP is a nonprofit organization who beliefs that youth no matter their circumstances and past transgressions can be positively motivated into productive members of society with bright futures. The YCAPP mission statement is to provide quality support and education to families in their natural environments through collaboration, positive inclusive interventions, and...
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...Even though Juvenile delinquent behavior and crimes is at its lowest in 38 years there is still a need for continuous effort and case management to keep our youth off the street (Paulson, 2013). Over the last thirty eight years, juvenile crime is at its lowest level, yet there is still a significant need to find and retain resources and commitment. Even with this change in delinquent deviancy we would still like to see an effort on the deterrence towards juvenile deviancy with still bigger commitments for those of professional case management on juvenile delinquency. Those working in Juvenile Case Management must still posse a level of knowledge required to become a skilled social worker who contains knowledge of not only family and their environmental settings but also in juvenile justice, family law and practice, youth education and awareness, with an array of so many other personal attributes to keep these youth off the street. According to the National Institute of Juvenile Justice Research in Action Newsletter (1999), traditional case management consists of a social or mental health worker who secures and coordinates continued social, mental health, medical, and other services for a client (Healey). With the deinstitutionalize of inmates in 1970 the mental health workers found new ways and initiative to coordinate efforts in an attempt to connect social services while monitoring recent released inmates where different agencies were able to derive distinct programs...
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...Juvenile Alternative Programs Analysis For almost two decades, the Juvenile Justice system has expanded to help turn the experience of a disadvantage youthful offender into a solution that supports his or her transition into adult independence. This comparative analysis shows the different aspects of two juvenile diversions, intervention, or prevention programs working with the state of Arkansas. This study shows the relationship of the mission promise for each of juvenile prevention programs. The goals of the programs define the causes of juvenile delinquency providing innovative solutions to the current problems for the youthful offenders. Arkansas Department of Family and Protective Services A wide array of departments shows the advantages of professionals working with the community to gain the confidence and reliability of the people living within the five county-area of North Central Arkansas. The young teen programs provide information and protective services for different ranges of abuse, neglect, and truancy as these problems can lead to juvenile delinquency. The wide umbrella of the family protective interventions (AFPS) covers two different programs working to decrease the many causes leading to juvenile delinquency. The main goal of reducing juvenile delinquency shows within the Arkansas Sheriffs Ranches and Arkansas Youth Network Boot Camps for youthful offenders (McDaniel, 2012).. Youth Network Boot Camp Goals The purpose and goal of the YBC program show...
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...An Overview of Juvenile Delinquency in the United States 1. Introduction Juvenile delinquency regards crimes that are committed by individuals under the age of 18. Juveniles can be treated as adults depending on the nature of the crimes. Misdemeanors are minor crimes that don’t carry harsh penalties although felony related offenses do. Each state has juvenile courts that deal with juvenile delinquency. In 2010, there were a total of 308,745,538 juvenile delinquents living in the United States. This large has caused an increased concern about the number of youths that are committing crimes of all kinds. Major causes of juvenile delinquency are a lack of employment opportunities, little to no education and drug addiction among the parents. Juveniles that live with parents that have substance abuse problems often exhibit negative behaviors that result in crime. One program, “Beyond Scared Straight” has been highlighted in the media recently because it uses scare tactics to help juveniles avoid crime and the resulting jail time. This paper will provide an over of juvenile delinquency by defining it in terms of prevalence, causes and interventions. 2. Juvenile Delinquency Defined Each state in the United States have pre-established laws that define juveniles. Roberts concludes that individuals that have not turned 18 are juveniles in the eyes of the law. However, juveniles can be tried as adults if they commit serious crimes such as murder and robbery (Roberts). This has...
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...Juvenile Delinquency Juvenile delinquency has been on the decline in recent years. The study of the variables, and distinction between the adult and juvenile systems, has helped in the decline. Delinquency is a criminal behavior that is committed by a juvenile. Depending on where in the United States the juvenile lives, they will be considered an adult between the ages of 16 to 18. This age has been lowered for serious crimes like murder. In those cases, juveniles have been tried as adults in court. Delinquency refers to conduct that does not conform to legal or moral standards of society; it usually applies only to acts that, if performed by an adult, would be termed criminal (“Encyclopedia Britannica”, 2013). This helps to distinguish delinquency from a status offense. Status offense is a word used in the United States to describe acts that when committed by a juvenile are illegal, but not when an adult does it is legal. These offenses are considered to be a violation because the individual is...
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...Causes of Juvenile Delinquency Juvenile Justice Causes of Juvenile Delinquency The causes of juvenile delinquency are many. Some experts would say that juvenile delinquency has its roots in a biological cause. Other experts will assert that the cause is of an environmental nature. In this research paper, the author will examine both theories and present both supporting and contradicting evidence for both theories. However, before he can begin, the author must give a brief history of the juvenile justice system in the United States and how that system has handled juvenile delinquency thus far. In the days of old, juvenile justice was an unheard of concept. Most nations did not make a distinction between a juvenile and an adult (Bartollas & Miller, 2011). The court systems of early nations simply held the belief that an offender needed to be punished for a crime the same way no matter what the age of the offender. This led to children being punished in the same manner as adults. Early court systems did not recognize that juvenile offenders had different needs and motives than adults (Bartollas & Miller, 2011). It is fair to say that this fact is erroneous in every aspect. This tradition continued into the mid-1800s. In England, for example, “some 160-200 capital offenses were listed in the statutes for which children could be executed.” (Bartollas & Miller, 2011, p. 5). This is an amazing statistic. Knowing that young children could be executed sheds...
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...THE JUVENILE JUSTICE SYSTEM CHAPTER ONE Chapter Outline Origins of the Juvenile Justice System Juvenile Court Jurisdiction Defining Delinquency Defining a Juvenile Chapter Objectives After completing this chapter, you should be able to: 1. Describe the jurisdiction of the juvenile court. 2. Explain what is meant by delinquency. 3. Explain what is meant by status offenses. 4. Compare the ways in which the various states define a juvenile. 5. Identify and define the unique terms used in the juvenile justice system. 6. Outline the three major steps in the juvenile justice process. 7. Describe the five decision points in the juvenile justice process. The Language of Juvenile Justice Overview of the Juvenile Justice System Law Enforcement and Other Referral Sources Juvenile Court Disposition Comparison of Juvenile and Criminal Justice Systems 8. Compare and contrast the juvenile and criminal justice systems. 3 4 PART ONE Juvenile Justice and Delinquency in the United States Origins of the Juvenile Justice System Before the establishment of the juvenile justice system, courts and judges treated juveniles as adults and, in many instances, juvenile offenders received the same punishment as adults. There was only one system of justice in the United States, and all offenders were processed through it without regard to age. Under common law doctrine, the legal system the American colonists brought from England, a juvenile age seven or older could receive the same...
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...Chapter 7. DELINQUENCY Juvenile among young people, as they negotiate the transition from childhood to adulthood in an increasingly complex and confusing world, is the issue that this chapter first examines. Some basic assumptions relating to delinquent behaviour are presented, followed by a description of the various factors underlying or contributing to this phenomenon. Some regional variations are highlighted. Effective approaches and measures for preventing juvenile delinquency are detailed, with particular attention given to the development of educational, professional development and community programmes, improvements in family relations and parenting skills, and the value of restorative justice for both perpetrators and victims. The chapter concludes with a summary and recommendations for future action. Delinquent and criminal behaviour For many young people today, traditional patterns guiding the relationships and transitions between family, school and work are being challenged. Social relations that ensure a smooth process of socialization are collapsing; lifestyle trajectories are becoming more varied and less predictable. The restructuring of the labour market, the extension of the maturity gap (the period of dependence of young adults on the family) and, arguably, the more limited opportunities to become an independent adult are all changes influencing relationships with family and friends, educational opportunities and choices, labour market participation...
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...Chapter 7. DELINQUENCY Juvenile among young people, as they negotiate the transition from childhood to adulthood in an increasingly complex and confusing world, is the issue that this chapter first examines. Some basic assumptions relating to delinquent behaviour are presented, followed by a description of the various factors underlying or contributing to this phenomenon. Some regional variations are highlighted. Effective approaches and measures for preventing juvenile delinquency are detailed, with particular attention given to the development of educational, professional development and community programmes, improvements in family relations and parenting skills, and the value of restorative justice for both perpetrators and victims. The chapter concludes with a summary and recommendations for future action. Delinquent and criminal behaviour For many young people today, traditional patterns guiding the relationships and transitions between family, school and work are being challenged. Social relations that ensure a smooth process of socialization are collapsing; lifestyle trajectories are becoming more varied and less predictable. The restructuring of the labour market, the extension of the maturity gap (the period of dependence of young adults on the family) and, arguably, the more limited opportunities to become an independent adult are all changes influencing relationships with family and friends, educational opportunities and choices, labour market participation, leisure...
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...Evolution of the Juvenile System This paper takes a brief look at the history and evolution of the juvenile justice system in the United States. In recent years there has been an increase of juvenile cases being transferred into the adult court system. This paper will also look at that process and the consequences of that trend. In the early nineteenth century juveniles were treated the same as adults when it came to the legal system. We did not have separate courts or jails for juveniles and they would often receive the same punishments as adults that had committed crimes. “At the beginning of the nineteenth century, delinquent, neglected, and runaway children in the United States were treated in the same way as adult criminal offenders” (Siegel & Welsh, 2011). Three key things that helped to develop a separate system for juveniles were the child-saving movement, the concept of parens patria, and the creation of institutions created specifically for the care of juveniles. The ‘child-savers’ movement began in New York in the early 1800’s. These early groups were concerned mainly with the moral education of children. They felt that private groups and families were not doing enough to properly educate young people and wanted more control to be given to the government. These groups were formed by prominent members of the community who could influence law makers. “Child-saving organizations influenced state legislatures to enact laws giving courts the power to...
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...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...
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