Delinquncy is prevalent in adolescents, as the United States juvenile justice system has a large portion of inmates under the age of fifteen (Cloward, & Ohlin, 2013). According to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) uniform crime reporting program, last year alone law enforcement agencies made around 253,000 arrests of adolescents younger than 13 (Akers, 2011); around 10% of these arrests were for status offenses (for example curfew violation, running away from home, and liquor law violations). Overall, children aged lower then thirteen make up around 9% of all juvenile arrests (i.e. arrests of individuals below 18 years). In addition, over recent years the number of arrests of juveniles for property related crimes reduced 17%, whereas, arrests for violent crimes raised to 45%.
Assessing the effectiveness of the criminal justice system when dealing with young offenders in relation to the source SMH. The Criminal Justice System subjects children to the same criminal law as it does adults. However, they are treated differently as that, there is a certain age at which it is believed to be that the child is too young to cause criminal intent. This age limit in NSW is ten years old. It is believed that at this age the child is unable to possess Mens Rea, this is referred to as Doli Incapax.
of Justice, 2004). Gang membership has also been seen as a factor into delinquency and criminal activity to adolescents. “Approximately 30 percent of the Rochester subjects joined a gang at some point during the 4-year period covering ages 14–18” (U.S. Dept. of Justice, 2004). Gang membership has about 30% accountability on the reasons and causes of delinquency.
Juveniles were responsible for 16% of the violent crimes and 26% of all the property crimes that were on record throughout the United States. The statistic report shows that the arrest rate for juveniles who were charged with murder is at a rate of 3.8 per 100, 000 juveniles that were arrested in 2008.” The increase in drug offenses and simple assaults According to "Juvenile Justice Bulletin" (2008), “The report lists statistics for the juvenile drug abuse violations in 1994, 2007, and 2008. During the different years listed, the drug abuse violations continue to decrease. The report shows that the drug abuse violations resulted in 180,100 juvenile arrests.” “Simple assaults included in the chart were at zero reported; however, looking under the other assaults in the report there were 18% of the arrests reported to be
With the peak age of juvenile incarceration being 16 for females and 17 for males (Drerup 1), it is essential for these children to learn at the youngest possible age that crime and drugs do not pay. Of the _______________________ juveniles detained in the justice system in the year 2000, 56% of boys and 40% of girls tested positive for substance use (Chassin 2); not to mention more than half of the admissions in drug treatment facilities were from males who had been incarcerated as juveniles, along with 39% of females (Chassin 2). Substance dependence is one of the “core” causes of juvenile incarceration, whether it is through theft to obtain money for drugs or alcohol, or violence because of a drug induced outburst. It has been noted that an estimated 500-1,200 adolescents are court ordered to incarceration at any one facility per year, with an annual recidivism rate of approximately 35% (Stein 2). Simply placing juveniles in a prison-like setting and putting the facts of a substance dependence problem on the back burner is obviously not working.
Individual Theories CJS/240 Scott Dunn April 14, 2013 Abstract: The view upon delinquents today is that criminal activity is a chosen decision to violate laws. The fact is that today’s society is made up of juveniles who are looking forward to their future and are working hard towards achieving their goals and accomplishing themselves. Unfortunately society is also made up of juveniles who act out and engage in dangerous behaviors as well as criminal acts. Three explanations Biochemical Theory, Neurological Theory, and Genetic Theory could clarify the reasons behind all of these outrageous activities that juvenile delinquents engage in. Individual Theories: Biochemical factors relating to juvenile delinquency refers to the biochemical makeup of the adolescent.
The juveniles’ age range from 13-16 years old and most are African American. The Sentencing project did a survey of more than 1,600 individuals who are “lifers’ and these are the results. * One in three of the respondents were living in public housing prior to incarceration. * 79 percent reported witnessing violence in their homes. * Almost half (46.9 percent) of those surveyed experienced physical abuse, including almost 80 percent of girls.
The law does recognize these differences, but, a Juvenile, like an adult, makes the choice to commit a crime or not. Therefore, like an adult, they must be held accountable. A Juvenile Delinquent is defined as an individual under the age of 18 who commit acts which would be unlawful if committed by an adult. More juveniles are growing up now without cooperating peacefully with the law than ever before. Many of them often pay a low price even when caught.
As much as jails are meant to correct bad behaviors, there is a loophole when it comes to distinction between juvenile and adult jail. Many youths under the age of 18 find themselves on the wrong side of the law and spend some time in jail. Today, most police departments are not equipped with to hold underage offenders. According to U.S. Department of Justice Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS), an average of 7,500 youths are incarcerated in adult jails and most victims of inmate sexual violence in jails are youth under the age of 18 (Berlatsky, 2010). Despite the life-altering consequences of incarceration in an adult jail, relatively little attention have been given to these youth (Berlatsky, 2010).
Tia Briggs Ms. Simpkins English 11.5th hour October 17, 2012 Juvenile offenders tried as adults “You are here-by sentenced to life in prison”, is an intimidating adult-like sentence that many young offenders have heard in their short lives. Youth violence has become a national concern, and juvenile arrests are steadily rising. Some offenders can range from 9 years of age up to 18 years old and despite their ages, can commit crimes that you never thought they could or would even think of committing. Some are rapist, gang-members and even murderers. However, regardless of the crimes they have committed, they are young children that have not had a chance to explore life and everything that it has