A juvenile would be more likely to commit a delinquent act or crime because many of these factors in the strain are things that they can not control or get away from, if an adult is a bad relationship they have the option to leave and get away from that person but a juvenile doesn’t always have that option many times they are forced to stay in places and deal with whatever the strain is and this causes an excess of strain which in turn causes delinquent behavior. Also being
The extent to which our legal system is able to adequately provide this is at times, questionable. Arrest and detention, as well as a lack of crime prevention strategies, foster criminogenic behavior, or, future criminal activity. However, diversionary schemes and court proceedings are examples of successful programs, incorporating actions that encourage the rehabilitation of juveniles. This consequently establishes a moderately effective juvenile justice system. It is widely accepted that childhood, adolescence, and young adulthood are pivotal development stages in regards to human behavior.
Speaker number 2 stated, and I quote, “Juveniles are well aware of the actions they make and should be tried as adults for their heinous crimes.” end quote. However, this quote is not entirely accurate. My research shows that although juveniles may be aware of the actions they are making, they are not mentally capable of reasoning and making critical choices. Children are not typically ready to make choices that will effect their eternal life on earth. According to Dr. Mark Wellek, an Arizona psychiatrist and past president of the American Society of Adolescent Psychiatry, “The last areas of the brain to mature and fully develop are those
A large variable is the presence of parental figures in the family. If parents are into criminal activity and do not pay much attention to teaching their children right from wrong there is a huge chance that these children will fall along the same path of their parents. It is very important that agencies find out about children in these types of situations and relocate them so that they have a better chance of becoming productive players in society. Another contributing factor is child abuse. When a child is being abused, he/she will more likely act out in illegal ways before telling someone.
It has reduced state government costs, and reduced overcrowding prisons. Nonviolent offenders, can be punished in the community rather than in prison. It is in the community where they can make a difference, and at the same time be punished for their crimes. Reducing recidivism rates is a serious concern for corrections. If recidivism rates are not reduce, corrections will only grow because they are constantly taking on the same offenders.
It is done in this manner to protect the minor and to protect the public from criminal activity. The juvenile courts are focused on rehabilitation and helping the minor. Criminal courts are used to punish the adult and ensure justice is served. In juvenile court, the state represents the minor and in adult court, the state is trying to prove the adult is guilty of committing the crime he or she is being accused of. Minors in juvenile court are not entitled to trial with a jury of peers as adults are.
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
A judge has the right to sentence a juvenile to a correction center, possibly house arrest, or counseling. Adults also have the right to have bail set where juveniles do not. Another difference in juvenile court versus an adult court is, juveniles are considered delinquent rather than criminal. This was to guide the judges to act as a guide for the juveniles towards the development of the “child” for the best interest of him or her. The courts put in place to reform the child rather than to serve sentence as justice.
The purpose of the classification matrix is to suggest the presumptive sanction(s) for youth entering the juvenile justice system based on the seriousness of the present offense and the risk of continued delinquent behavior. Furthermore because of incomplete information in criminal history, social behavior, attitude behavior indicators, incomplete school data, medical history, and families background along with criminal history, this is assessment cannot properly assess these two juveniles. Additionally, the assessment cannot match the sanction with the level of control necessary to manage the risk, and offer the advantages of the matrix approach for a more accurate measure of recidivism than the use of a risk assessment only (Missouri Juvenile Offender Risk Assessment, 2003). In assessing the current information with an understanding the risk assessment is incomplete and pending further investigations the correctional strategy are assessed
Terrence Stone focused on ways to help young people see that there is a good life outside of gangs. Ray Culberson is another individual to found a program for youth at risk of joining gangs. This program is called Kids in Chaos. Culberson had first-hand knowledge of the gang life; therefore, he was very effective in the turning kids away from gang affiliation. “Simply spending more money is not always the best way to reach out to the troubled young people, says Culberson.