Running head: PUNISHMENT AND SENTENCING Punishment and Sentencing Michael Serrano, Eric Jirau, Sandra Brown, and Vincent Burford CJA/224 January 17, 2012 April Reddish Punishment and Sentencing There are various legal factors that are associated with juvenile sentencing in the criminal justice system. There is a “growing evidence indicates that many youth are transferred to the adult system for less serious, nonviolent offenses even when they have not been exposed to the full range of graduated sanctions available in the juvenile justice system” (Johnson, 2001). This study further shows that juveniles, According to Wolff-Barnes and Franz (1989) “Personal and aggravated personal offenders received more severe
Other than Florida, fifteen other states are following this law. Usually, depending on the intensity of the crime depends on how long or where the offender should be incarcerated. Although in fact, Kunerth (2007) stated that sixty percent of the crimes that these juveniles committed were in the category of non-violent;
From the Cradle to the Courthouse In “Should Juvenile Offenders be tried as Adults,” Laurence Steinberg argues that juveniles think, act, and comprehend mentally on different level than adults. In “Adult Crime, Adult Time,” Linda Collier argues that juveniles are treated well by the American judicial system despite the very violent crimes that some of them commit. Some states believe that criminal acts committed by society’s youth should not be the only factor considered when deciding the punishment for the crime. Recent policy changes have shifted the view of many people. The changes in policies are the laws that govern the treatment of juveniles.
Juveniles under the legal age of eighteen years old are subjected to special juvenile laws when being accused of or arrested for a crime. A child that is taken into custody for a supposed crime must be taken to a juvenile detention center and may be released to guardians or parents upon a promise to reappear in court and an authorization of release made by a judge. Family plays an important role in the apprehension and sentencing of juveniles, as they are not considered adults. Family involvement can have a colossal impact on how a juvenile absorbs the consequences for his or her
A Problem With The Court System: Should We Lower The Age Of Conviction For Minors? Jessie L. Blair Flagler College SOC 260 R. Parker Abstract: The Juvenile Justice System is a specific branch of the court system that deals with the prosecution and imprisonment of minors, or people below the legal age of eighteen who have committed crimes. These individuals are dealt with by the juvenile courts, their sentence is determined by them, and they are dealt with entirely by the juvenile facilities. However, some believe that the age in which children are finally considered “adults” is not accurate and that the Juvenile court system is too lenient when it comes to “children” committing serious crimes. This paper will address the idea of lowering the legal age, so that those individuals in the proper age range who commit certain serious crimes will be tried as adults, thus receiving the proper
When a child gets into trouble, one question that usually comes to mind is whether or not to refer said child into a diversionary program such as Teen Court. The purpose of Teen Court is to give juveniles who get into trouble a “second chance” at leading a productive life rather than dealing with a criminal record or even the possibility of being “labeled” by our society. According to Champion, Merlo, and Benekos (2012), Teen Courts are defined as, “Tribunals consisting of teen-agers who judge other youth charged with minor offenses, much like regular juries in criminal courts, where juvenile prosecutors and defense counsel argue cases against specific juvenile offenders; juries decide sanction with judicial approval” (p.368). I had the opportunity
The majority of probationers were white (64%); African-American represent more than a third of probationers, and Hispanics, who may be of any race, made up 16 percent of probationers. Almost all probationers have conditions placed on their freedom. The conditions imposed most often are fees, drug testing, employment and treatment. By the Bureau of Justice Statistics, the probation success rate is 62%. Most probation programs are designed to (1) protect the community by assisting judges in sentencing and supervising offenders, (2) carry out sanctions imposed by the court, (3) help offenders change, (4) support crime victims, and (5) coordinate and promote the use of community resources.
Juvenile Crime Paper CJS/200 7/12/13 Juvenile Crime Paper Throughout history, both adult and juvenile offenders have committed crimes and determining the punishment for these crimes required a criminal justice system to be established for both. In today’s society, we have different court systems for adults and juveniles. Juvenile crime has increased dramatically through the past several years. Although there are several similarities between the adult and juvenile court systems, there are several differences as well. Unlike the adult court system, the juvenile court system is more geared towards protecting the juvenile’s privacy, preventing harm to the juvenile, and rehabilitation rather than sentencing for punishment of the crimes committed.
Problems with treating youth sex offenders the same as adult sex offenders .Compared with youth committed to a juvenile facility, a child sentenced to serve time in the adult system spends his/her formative years in a prison environment where he or she is: twice as likely to be beaten by staff, 50% more likely to be attacked with a weapon, and nearly eight times more likely to commit suicide. Treating youth in the juvenile justice system rehabilitates them more effectively, reduces recidivism, and saves taxpayer money. (Ryan, Leversee, and lane ) Age of consent laws can unfairly criminalize adolescent behavior. Almost all sexual behavior by children who are below the age of consent is against the
Does Waiving Juveniles to Criminal Court Deter Recidivism November 28, 2012 Does waiving juveniles to criminal court deter recidivism? Violent youth crime has contributed to the perception that something is seriously wrong with our society and legislative system; crime is no longer a man’s game, it’s becoming child’s play. The continued rise in youth crime over the past decades has increased the public’s fear of juvenile offenders. Those who have been victimized call upon our legislators for stronger measures to deal with juveniles who continue to commit crime. Today, all 50 U.S. states and the District of Columbia allow juveniles to be prosecuted in criminal court.