...Juvenile Offenders with Mental Health Issues Adolescence is a critical time of development. During this period there are significant changes in brain development, emotions, cognition, behavior, and personal relationships. It is during this time that most major mental health disorders appear, many of which carry over into adulthood. Behavior patterns such as substance abuse also often develop during this time and may continue throughout adulthood. Many adolescents struggling with mental health issues begin to exhibit symptoms such as acting out at home or in school, showing a decreased interest in activities that they previously enjoyed, or bringing home poor grades. Others ultimately are charged with offenses ranging from status offenses for things such as skipping school, to misdemeanor offenses such as burglary or possession of a controlled substance, or even more serious charges. In Iowa, adolescents exhibiting behavioral issues become involved in the Juvenile Court system, which seems overwhelmed with the volume of cases to be heard, and does little to address the mental health needs of its clients. This paper will discuss the federal legislation developed to protect youth in the juvenile and criminal justice system and address delinquent behavior, the volume and types of offenders, the limitations of the current Juvenile Justice System, and proposed modifications to the organizational structure of the system. Status offenders are juveniles charged with an offense...
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...Juvenile and Adult Courts: A Comparative Analysis Introduction Juvenile and adult courts have different language barriers that separate the two. Juvenile courts tend to use words such as detention hearing, petition, and adjudication to make things seem less harsh. Adult courts use words such as bail hearing, complaint or indictment, and the verdict. Adult courts deal with a stricter sentencing than juvenile courts do. Juvenile courts take the approach of a more controlled approach. Adults are taught to live a healthy and productive life, unlike minors. Juveniles have been reinstated so that they can be released back into society with a fresh start. The languages for juvenile courts are different than that of adult courts. Here are the different languages that separate juvenile courts from adult courts: Adult Courts • Bail Hearing • Trial • Complaint or Indictment • Defendant • Verdict • Guilty Juvenile Courts • Detention hearing • Fact-Finding Hearing • Petition • Respondent • Adjudication • Delinquent or Involved In juvenile courts they don't get a jury; instead the judge is the only person who determines if a minor has broken the law and what his or her punishment will be. The courtroom is closed to the media as well as to the general public. Juveniles are more prone to probation for longer times than adults. (#2)A juvenile's conditions of them being on probation tend to be obnoxious, including having a curfew, getting adequate grades...
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...Contents Page No. * Introduction 02 * Objectives 03 * Methodology 03 * Description of Juvenile delinquency 03 * Causes of Juvenile delinquency in Bangladesh 06 * Prevention of Juvenile delinquency in Bangladesh 13 * Conclusion 17 * References 19 * Introduction: Juvenile delinquency is one of the most prominent problems today throughout the world especially in developing countries as Bangladesh. It is seems that traditional patterns of guiding the relationships and transition between family, school and work are being challenged. Social relations that ensure a smooth process of socialization are collapsing and lifestyle is becoming more dynamic and less predictable. The reformation of the labour market, the extension of the maturity gap and the limited opportunities to become an independent adult are all changes influencing relationships with family and friends. Also, educational opportunities and choices, labour market participation, leisure activities and lifestyles often create hindrance in the way of developing adolescence normal behaviour. There are some new pressures that influence on young people while undergoing the transition from childhood to independence. The factors which create a bridge with the way of getting delinquent in Bangladesh are rapid population growth, the unavailability of housing and support services, poverty, unemployment and underemployment among youth, the...
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...Causes of Delinquency and Methods of Prevention Jermaine Thomas CJ 3308 Juvenile Justice University of Houston-Downtown Causes of Delinquency and Methods of Prevention Introduction Juvenile delinquency is a term used to describe illegal acts committed by individuals in society younger than the age in which the government recognizes as him/her as an adult. In America, the general rule of thumb for labeling a person as a juvenile is any person between the age of 10 and 18. However, this does vary slightly from state to state. An act committed by a juvenile can only be considered delinquent if the same act is punishable if it were to be committed by an adult. Other violations of rules such as curfew violations and underage smoking are considered age-restricted violation as opposed to being labeled as a “delinquent act”. Juvenile Delinquency has always been an issue in the criminal justice system. A study done by Sharma, Mishra, & Kumar (2013) found that the average age of juvenile delinquents was 16.20 years of age, and the average age of non-delinquents was 16.5 years of age. Furthermore, of the delinquents, most of their crimes were committed at the age of 14.84 years of age. The creation of the juvenile justice system in 1899 in Chicago was a way of dealing with this growing problem. Since then, the juvenile justice system has been very useful in helping to evaluate, rehabilitate, and if necessary, punish juveniles that commit delinquent acts. However, the issue...
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...Juvenile Justice System History of the juvenile justice system The first juvenile court was established in Chicago in 1899. Leading up to this point children over the age of seven were tried in the regular criminal court which lead to many problems in the rehabilitation of juveniles. According to United States Courts (n.d.), “Gerald (“Jerry”) Gault was a 15 year-old accused of making an obscene telephone call to a neighbor, Mrs. Cook, on June 8, 1964. After Mrs. Cook filed a complaint, Gault and a friend, Ronald Lewis, were arrested and taken to the Children’s Detention Home” (para. 1). The Court closely examined the juvenile court system, ultimately determining that, while there are legitimate reasons for treating juveniles and adults differently, juveniles facing an adjudication of delinquency and incarceration are entitled to certain procedural safeguards under the Due Process Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment. The Juvenile Delinquency Prevention and Control Act of 1968 and the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act of 1974, both stress the importance of separation between noncriminal (status) offenders and those who are accused with criminal offences in terms of legal treatment. In addition, the Acts call for deinstitutionalization of those “light” offenders and demand that convicted juvenile will be removed from adult jails and prisons. Treating young offenders as adults has proved counterproductive and raised questions about the fundamental...
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...Juvenile Justice System Ruben Lopez, University of Phoenix CJA/204 – INTRODUCTION TO CRIMINAL JUSTICE ON13BCJ05 Judge Michael Sachs July 28, 2013 Juvenile Justice System In the middle ages, children were treated as adults and received the same punishment as adults, whether it be public shaming, corporal punishment or confinement. In our country, the early American Puritans changed the way children were viewed because they believed that children could not reason the same as adults, so they did not want to hold them to the same standards ("CJi Interactive", 2011). With the Puritans view of children and not holding them to the same standards as adults, it started the juvenile justice system in our country. This was the first step that lead to what the system is today. Delinquency and Status Offenses According to Schmalleger (2011), he defines delinquency as, “juvenile actions or conduct in violation of criminal law, juvenile status offenses, and other juvenile misbehavior.” and defines status offense as “An act or conduct that is declared by statute to be an offense, but only when committed by or engaged in by a juvenile, and that can be adjudicated only by a juvenile court.” (p. 543 and 547). The difference between children who are delinquents and those who are status offenders is the laws that are being violated. Delinquent children violate laws that are criminal and if they were adults, they would be labeled as criminals. Status offenders are children who...
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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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...When a French social worker was recently asked what he considered the most valuable attitude in working with juvenile delinquents, he replied: ‘The ability to accept failure-and still go right ahead.’ W e should not delude ourselves that there are any short, swift or easy solutions. Delinquent behaviour is not a twenty-four hour malady that affects a child as a virus does. The preceding chapter has pointed out how complex, and how deeply set, some of the motivations towards juvenile delinquency can be. Since a child does not become delinquent on the spur of the moment but as the result of a long and intricate series of reactions, any realistic plan to help that child will not be an easy one. Any person, or any community, who hopes to change a specific delinquency problem must accept the fact that it is a long and thoughtful process, often one of discouragement and delay. It is expensive in terms of money, time and effort. It need hardly be pointed out, however, that the results of delinquency are twice as costly. From all our knowledge of delinquents and delinquency, there is no reassuring evidence of a formula or recipe for prevention. What emerges clearly, from many studies and reports and surveys, is that delinquent behaviour must be the concern of the entire community, not just dismissed as a problem to be handled by local schools, churches, police courts or professional agencies. It should be recognized as their problem by the citizens of a community even when their own children...
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...|Trying Juveniles as Adults in Criminal Court: An Analysis of State Transfer Provisions Report, December 1998 Patrick Griffin Patricia Torbet Linda Szymanski National Center for Juvenile Justice Shay Bilchik, Administrator Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention [pic] Table of Contents Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Foreword Acknowledgments Introduction Transfer Provisions Waiver Direct File Statutory Exclusion Reverse Waiver Once an Adult/Always an Adult Additional Analyses Transfer for Nonviolent Offenses Additional Pretransfer Findings Required Clear and Convincing Evidence Standard Special Transfer Treatment Based on Prior Record Devices To Limit Prosecutorial Discretion Minimum Age Provisions Appendix: Summary of Transfer Laws Share With Your Colleagues Publications From OJJDP List of Tables Most States Have a Combination of Transfer Provisions Summary of Transfer Provisions, 1997 Discretionary Waiver: Minimum Age and Offense Criteria, 1997 Mandatory Waiver: Minimum Age and Offense Criteria, 1997 Presumptive Waiver: Minimum Age and Offense Criteria, 1997 Direct File: Minimum Age and Offense Criteria, 1997 Statutory Exclusion: Minimum Age and Offense Criteria, 1997 Minimum Age and Offenses for Which a Juvenile Can Be Transferred to Criminal Court in...
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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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...Social Work: Juvenile Delinquency In the last twenty years, juvenile crime is at its lowest point. It has decreased 36% since 1996 (Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention). With this change in crime rate, it can be assumed that the prevention of juvenile delinquency has been a great asset to our country, and leads into the profession of social workers role in juvenile delinquency. An overview of this field requires a social worker to be knowledgeable with criminal law, principles and education that can be gained from experience, familiarity with laws and practices, and awareness of environmental contributors. The social worker must be prepared to work in a variety of settings, and with other professions that contribute to cases. Overview of Social Problem The Social Work Dictionary states that juvenile delinquency is seen as a person under the age of 18 (some jurisdictions go by 21) that have been involved in criminal activity (juvenile delinquency, 2003). In 2002, juvenile delinquency was at its lowest point in the last two decades. Despite the statistics, most people believe that juvenile crime continues to rise. The media plays a great part in this problem because when a violent crime involves young offenders, the media has excessive coverage on situation. The average age of delinquents continue to be younger and younger. Even though juvenile crime has decreased, but serious violent crime rate for boys and girls are excessively high (McWhirter et al, 2007)...
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...Future of the Juvenile Justice System The future of the juvenile justice system is uncertain. There is a struggle to try a find a way to serve the needs of the juvenile delinquents and issue them a punishment for violating the law. In order to improve the direction of the juvenile justice system, recommendations are needed regarding community involvement, law enforcement, courts, corrections, and the private sector. These recommendations address issues that the system is currently facing and offers solutions for the future. A justification of the system is also offered based on the histories, trends and causation theories. Community Involvement Community involvement is an important aspect of the juvenile justice system. Police form communities ties through their involvement and contact with those in the community. Juvenile attitudes and perceptions of police are based on several issues. Weakened community ties, fear of crime, and higher levels of strain contribute and create negative juvenile attitudes towards law enforcement. Individuals that do not have contact with the police tend to have the highest perception of law enforcement. In an analysis of juvenile attitudes, it was found that juveniles that had contact with police through prevention programs had similar attitudes towards the police as those that had no contact with law enforcement (Brick, Taylor, & Esbensen, 2009, p. 493). Adjudicated youth with disabilities transitioning back into the community are also...
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...the treatment of juvenile offenders/delinquents. With all the reading and research on legislation towards juvenile offenders and delinquents I chose to elaborate and explain on how the 20th century shaped treatment for juvenile offenders. Congress enacted the Juvenile and Delinquency Prevention (JJDP) Act in 1974. This landmark legislation established JJDP to support local and state efforts to prevent delinquency and improve the juvenile justice system. From what I interpret from congress is in them passing this new 20th Century legislation is they were fully aware that prior legislations and laws prior to passing this legislation had major flaws in the system that didn’t truly protect and better serve juveniles and delinquents from the system. On November 2, 2002, Congress reauthorized the JJDP Act. The reauthorization the 21st Century Department of Justice Appropriations Authorization Act supports the JJDP’s established mission while introducing important changes that streamline the office operations and bring a sharper focus on its role to protect juveniles and delinquents. The provisions of the reauthorization took effect in October 2003. Juvenile and Delinquency Prevention had a couple of milestones that stood out to me that I would like to explain in detail below. 1974 Congress established the separation requirement. Which means a minor can legally separate him/her away from a troubled family home. 1977 Congress made it their job to emphasized prevention and treatment for...
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...There are many theories that attempt to explain the causes of delinquency. Among these theories are choice views, sociological views and developmental views. Choice theories suggest that juvenile offenders are capable of rational choices and make the choice to engage in delinquent behavior because they believe it will be beneficial for them in some way. The benefit of engaging in delinquent behavior must be perceived to be greater than possible punishment or loss (Siegel & Welsh, pg. 59) . Basically, choice theories equate delinquency to be a matter of free will. Sociological views of delinquency assert that certain social conditions make youth turn to criminality. These social conditions include negative interpersonal interactions, poor community ecological conditions, low socioeconomic status, and racial disparity (Siegel & Welsh, pg. 97). Developmental views claim that delinquency is a result of social experiences as well as individual characteristics. A criminal career is not started by a single incident however, and the path to delinquency and subsequent criminality is a dynamic process influenced by personal, social,...
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