Juvenile crimes are one of the most common problems that have negative consequences on any community. Juvenile crimes refer to the crimes that are perpetrated by individuals who are under the adult age. Statistical analysis indicated that this number grows daily. This has triggered the government to seek intervention measures to help reduce the increasing trend and hence safeguard the society against future offending. This because such children who have records of crime develop to become uncontrollable gangs in the society.
Juvenile delinquency, also known as juvenile offending, or youth crime, is participation in illegal behaviour by minors (juveniles) who fall under a statutory age limit. [1] Most legal systems prescribe specific procedures for dealing with juveniles, such as juvenile detention centres, and courts. A juvenile delinquent is a person who is typically under the age of 18 and commits an act that otherwise would have been charged as a crime if they were an adult. Although persons under 18 can also be charged and tried as adults, depending on the type of offense committed. In recent years, the average age for first arrest has dropped significantly, and younger boys and girls are committing these crimes.
According to the Merriam Webster online, a juvenile relates to young people who have committed crimes (“juvenile” 2015). A murderer is the one who commits the crime (“murderer” 2015)…So therefore combining those two terms, we can come up with a term for juvenile murderer as being a young teenager/adolescent who murders and is the one who commits the crime. A juvenile is someone who is younger than 18 years of age. A juvenile who has been accused of murder and other serious crimes will be transferred from a juvenile court to an adult court; many states have these systems in place. The most important demographic characteristics of a juvenile murderer is age and gender (violence committed, 2015).
Although politicians claim that the public demands tough policies, moral panics tend to dissipate when the crisis passes. Many around the country would argue because of more serious crimes committed by adults has fashioned an umbrella on the juvenile system which imposes robust crimes for the juvenile themselves. Now when a juvenile has committed a crime, the next step is the procedures of handling the juvenile physically and mental status. Following the arrest of a juvenile offender, a law enforcement officer has the discretion to release the juvenile to his or her parents, or take the offender to juvenile
The criminal justice system when dealing with young offenders is a controversial issue in the society and the Juvenile Justice System attempt to seek a balance through a combination of both the welfare and the justice model; striving to approach young offenders in the fairest and most suitable manner. In a recent research, the NSW Commission for Children and Young People rate suggests that there are twice more juvenile offenders than adults and are increasing towards 2005 and onwards. The juvenile justice suggests the possible various factors for these offences include: poor parental supervision, drug and alcohol abuse, homelessness, negative peer association, poor personal and social skills, or difficulties in school or employment. The magistrate attempts to generally use the welfare model when dealing with minor crimes such as shoplifting as the causes of crime can relate to different factors such as the young offenders’ social and psychological factors or their state of economy. The criminal justice system has an obligation to protect children and young people from different causes of crime and assists in their rehabilitation from recidivism.
Furthermore, child maltreatment is a consequential social problem. Youth’s who either witnessed or endured violence and abuse in the home are much more likely than those from nonviolent homes to participate in similar behaviour elsewhere (Flowers, 2002). Lastly, the link between poor parental supervision and juvenile convictions are closely related. American studies have shown that parents who have ineffective and lax monitoring of their children displayed a consistent pattern of delinquency (Arthur, 2007). American criminologist Travis Hirschi makes “attachment” (Walsh, 1991:108) the backbone of his control theory of delinquency.
Delinquency Deterrence Jada Schmal CJS/240 January 16, 2015 Kimberly Gaudiosi Delinquency Deterrence There are many factors that can lead teenagers to act out in the wrong way. Specific deterrence, general deterrence, and situational crime prevention are three ways that would help the juvenile change for the better. Choosing the best one can be difficult depending on the juvenile, and the crime committed. There are many things that will lead teens to act in the wrong way. Several teenagers choose to criminal acts because of peer pressure, the lifestyle which grown up in, being around gangs, guardians who lack the responsible duties, etc.
Every single person living in the United States today is affected by juvenile crime. It affects parents, neighbors, teachers, and families. It affects the victims of crime, the perpetrators, and the bystanders. While delinquency rates have been decreasing, rates are still too high. There have been numerous programs that have attempted to lower this rate.
The legal term juvenile delinquent was generated so that young offenders could steer clear of the humiliation of being labeled in officially authorized court documents as criminals. In the United States, all states have separate systems for dealing with juvenile and adult criminals. A juvenile delinquent is a minor that is usually under the age of 18, who have committed an offense in states which have confirmed by law that a minor does not encompass responsibility and therefore may not be punished as an adult. Though, the legislatures of a number of states have decreased the age of unlawful accountability for severe crimes or for persistent habitual offenders to as low
This study will also try to offer suggestions as to how further studies can be improved and how to solve the problem of juvenile delinquency. It will also present some of the limitations that can be faced when conducting studies on this topic of juvenile delinquency. Definition of terms Juvenile delinquency- this is the broad-based term given to juveniles who commit crimes. Juveniles are defined as individuals who haven’t reached adulthood or the age of majority. (http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-juvenile-delinquency.htm) Delinquency- this is defined as, failure or omission of duty; a fault; a misdeed; an offense; a misdemeanor; a crime.